MALTA           3
Cuschieri 16; Saliba 82; Farrugia 84

CROATIA       2
Kurkutovic 50; Rudelic 51

MALTA
G. D’Antuono; E. Lipman, S. Farrugia, R. Cuschieri, K. Willis (62 S. Saliba), M. Farrugia, M. Lucia (46 A. Gatt), S. Zammit, Y. Carella (79 L. Ayres), N. Sciberras, R. Bajada.

CROATIA
D. Bacic; L. Orkic, A. Jelencic, L. Vunic (89 I. Slipevic), T. Vracevic, M. Joscak, I. Rudelic (90 E. Lustina), H. Spajic (89 A. Dulcic), J. Canjevac, K. Kurkutovic (65 I. Loljna), B. Zivkovic (65 P. Mikulica).

Referee: Emanuela Rusta (Albania FA).

Malta came from behind to claim a landmark victory over Croatia in an international friendly, overturning a challenging second half to secure a morale-boosting result ahead of their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification campaign.

This was the sixth meeting between the two nations – and the first since 2008 – with Malta having lost every previous encounter. Ranked 88th in the world and preparing for League B commitments, Malta faced a Croatia side placed 59th and set to compete in League C.

After a disappointing previous international window in which Malta failed to score in back-to-back defeats to Belarus, Manuela Tesse’s side responded emphatically, finding the net three times – an encouraging sign of their offensive development.

Tesse opted for a reshuffled starting formation, highlighted by Rachel Cuschieri’s 110th appearance. The Genoa midfielder is now just eight caps away from matching Dorianne Theuma’s all-time national record.

Up front, Mġarr United forward Yulya Carella filled in for the absent Haley Bugeja, while at the back, Stephania Farrugia partnered captain Emma Lipman, with Oceane Grange starting on the bench.

Croatia, captained by former Juventus and current Napoli goalkeeper Doris Bačić, fielded in-form striker Karla Kurkutović – scorer of three goals in her first two caps.

Malta lined up in a 4-2-3-1, deviating from their usual 4-3-3, with Nicole Sciberras and Shona Zammit anchoring the midfield. This setup allowed Cuschieri to operate between the lines in support of lone striker Kailey Willis.

Croatia threatened first through Janja Canjevac, who fired over from inside the area.

But it was Malta who drew first blood. Maria Farrugia’s pace caused havoc on the right flank as she darted past Helena Spajić before cutting the ball back for Cuschieri to fire past Bačić.

At half-time, Alexandra Gatt replaced Maya Lucia at left-back. The Hull City Ladies defender had impressed in the same role against Belarus.

Croatia equalised when Kurkutović – a former teammate of Lucia at ŽNK Split – continued her prolific form by netting her fourth international goal in just three games.

A minute later, Ivana Rudelić completed the turnaround with a strike into the far corner, leaving Malta momentarily stunned.

Malta’s response came through Zammit, who tested the Croatian goalkeeper after Farrugia capitalised on a defensive error.

Past the hour mark, Sara Saliba replaced Willis. The Swieqi United player, enjoying an outstanding domestic season with nine goals, injected fresh energy but Malta still struggled to break into the final third.

Tesse introduced another attacking option through Hibernians forward Leah Ayres, and Malta nearly paid for defensive indecision moments later when Rudelić blasted over from close range after a miscommunication between Gatt and Giulia D’Antuono.

However, the substitutes made the difference. Ayres won a pivotal midfield duel and surged down the left before cutting the ball to Saliba, who produced a superb turn and finish, scoring her first senior international goal.

Moments later, Malta completed their comeback. Farrugia struck a powerful effort that crashed off the crossbar and bounced over the line, sealing an impressive turnaround.

The two sides will meet again on Monday for a second friendly, which will not contribute to the FIFA rankings.