MALTA          1

Bugeja 42

CYPRUS         0

MALTA
J. Xuereb; E. Lipman, O. Grange, R. Cuschieri, K. Willis, M. Farrugia, M. Lucia, S. Zammit, E. Xuereb, N. Sciberras, H. Bugeja (90 L Ayres).

CYPRUS
M. Matthaiou; C. Charalambous (64 K. Adamou), C. Michael (75 A. Tsoukka), A. Cusick (88 A. Matsoukari), M. Panagiotou, F. Savva, A. Violari, E. Aristodimou (88 L. Chrysostomou), S. Papadopoulou, M. Georgiou, M. Constantinou (75 E. Siakalli).

Referee: Sabina Bolic (Croatia FA).

Yellow cards: Lucia, Bugeja.

A record crowd for a women’s football in Malta spurred the national team to a promotion to League B in the UEFA Women’s Nations League, for the second time.

Manuela Tesse’s side needed a win to secure a return to Europe’s second tier with a game to spare – and they delivered in front of 1,205 fans at the National Stadium, in the first women’s national team match in two decades.

The attendance surpassed the previous record of 1,053, set when Manchester United played Birkirkara in 2023, marking a milestone moment for women’s football in Malta.

Malta will now face Andorra in their final match, already assured of their place in League B for the upcoming 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

Haley Bugeja scored the decisive goal – her 24th in her 40th cap – bringing her within two goals of equalling Dorianne Theuma’s all-time national scoring record. However, the Inter forward will miss the Andorra match after receiving her second yellow card of the campaign.

Malta started brightly, coming out of the blocks with intensity and purpose. Within the opening minute, Maria Farrugia whipped in a dangerous ball into the six-yard box, but no one was able to connect and convert the early opportunity.

In the 10th minute, Cyprus responded with a threat of their own as Chara Charalambous fired from inside the penalty area, only to be denied by a sharp save from Malta goalkeeper Janice Xuereb.

Farrugia, recently nominated for the Championship Player of the Year award, attempted a long-range effort that sailed over the bar, as Malta continued to probe for an opener.

Moments later, Rachel Cuschieri also came close, trying her luck from close range, but her shot lacked the accuracy to trouble the Cyprus goal.

Past the half-hour mark, Cuschieri was again involved in a promising move, latching onto a brilliant through ball from Haley Bugeja. However, she was unable to hit the target from inside the box. Shona Zammit, crowned Malta FA Player of the Year, also joined the attack, striking from a tight angle, but her attempt clipped the side netting as Malta pushed for a breakthrough.

Cyprus nearly stunned the hosts when Elena Aristodimou rattled the crossbar with a powerful effort.

Chryso Michael followed up with a long-range strike, but it drifted wide of Xuereb’s goal.

Despite Cyprus’ brief resurgence, it was Malta who found the opener on the stroke of half-time. Haley Bugeja produced a moment of brilliance, embarking on a solo run past multiple defenders before cutting inside and curling a superb shot into the far post – an ideal moment to give Malta a deserved lead heading into the break.

Captain Emma Lipman came close to doubling the advantage shortly after, but Cyprus goalkeeper Maria Matthaiou pulled off an excellent save to keep the scoreline at 1-0.

After the change of ends, Malta continued to assert their dominance on the pitch.

Maria Farrugia remained a constant threat, persistently testing the Cyprus backline, although her efforts failed to find the net.

A record crowd witnessed Malta’s promotion to League B. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Shona Zammit came close with a close-range attempt, but her shot sailed over the bar, missing a golden opportunity to extend the lead.

Captain Emma Lipman kept the pressure on, rising highest to meet a corner with a powerful header, only to be denied once again by the alert Cyprus goalkeeper.

Other Group C2 result: Andorra 1-2 Georgia.

Standings: Malta 12, Cyprus 7, Georgia 6, Andorra 4.