Portugal Maintain Unbeaten Run Despite Malta Blemishing Defensive Record

Portugal earned a 3-1 victory against Malta in front of a home crowd of 6,231, to top group B3 in unbeaten manner. Malta’s Maria Farrugia cancelled Ana Capeta’s equaliser early on, but Stephanie Ribeiro and Jessica Silva sealed the victory for the home team. Northern Ireland finish the group in second place after their 2-0 victory over Bosnia & Herzegovina.

Team Selections

Portugal’s Francisco Neto made ten changes to the team that drew to Bosnia & Herzegovina on Friday. Captain Carole Costa was the only returner. She marshalled the defence, alongside Ana Seica and Ana Rodrigues, all protecting Patricia Morais in goal. Catarina Amado and Alicia Correia occupied the wings, with Andreia Norton and Tatiana Pinto operating in midfield behind Joana Martins. Stephanie Ribeiro made her debut for Portugal alongside Ana Capeta.

Meanwhile, Malta’s Manuela Tesse made just one change, as enforced by the injury to Haley Bugeja, who was replaced by Maya Lucia. Patricia Ebejer remained in goal, protected by Ann-Marie Said, Emma Lipman, Charlene Zammit and Stephania Farrugia. Rachel Cuschieri captained the side on her 100th appearance with the national team. She started in midfield alongside Shona Zammit, Maya Lucia and Brenda Borg. Maria Farrugia supported Kailey Willis in attack.

How It Unfolded

Portugal looked to impose themselves on the game, while the visitors looked to get stuck in early on. Stephania Farrugia landed in the book within the first five minutes for a late challenge.

Portugal’s initial corner delivery was cleared by Rachel Cuschieri, but the team did not have to wait for long to open the scoring. Catarina Amado sped on the right wing, before delivering a low ball which Ana Capeta rifled the ball into the roof of the net to sen the home crowd on their feet in the seventh minute.

Portugal appeared to have almost doubled their lead in the 14th minute as Andreia Norton’s corner delivery curled dangerously, however it landed just outside far post.

Instead, Malta surged forward with Emma Lipman picking out Maria Farrugia who won the team their first corner which proved crucial. Rachel Cuschieri delivered a low ball to Maria Farrugia, who let it slide across her before placing a right boot. The effort deflected into the left side of the net, wrong-footing the goalkeeper, to equal the scoring on the quarter-hour mark. The goal is the only one that Portugal conceded at home, and only the second in the entire campaign.

The home crowd got back behind their team once more as the side looked to regain the lead. There were nervous moments for the visitors in the 25th minute but Patricia Ebejer managed to collect, while Portugal could not cause trouble with a free-kick.

However, Stephanie Ribeiro sent her side into the lead with a dream debut goal in the 28th minute. Ana Capeta picked out the number seven with a lobbed ball. Ribeiro took it in her stride with a deft touch, before getting the better of her marker and curling a right-footed effort low into the far corner.

Malta attempted to get back into the match through another free-kick as Maria Farrugia was once more impeded on a run. However, Portugal stood fast only to have their counter-attack stopped dead in its tracks.

The visitors looked to impose themselves on the match once more, but Malta remained organised. Stephanie Ribeiro looked to get behind, but Malta’s defence was all hands on deck to stop her. Still, she managed to get a run on Emma Lipman in the 40th minute, but the first-touch attempted chip landed wide of the mark. Andreia Norton tried to direct a delivery from Tatiana Pinto which Patricia Ebejer collected, before Rachel Cuschieri made a crucial clearance from the box to deny a clear chance on goal just before the half-time whistle.

Half-Time Score: Portugal 2 – 1 Malta

Malta’s Manuela Tesse made two changes at the break. Maya Cachia replaced Patricia Ebejer in goal. Meanwhile, Emma Xuereb replaced Ann-Marie Said. Xuereb slotted in the right-back position, while Stephania Farrugia moved to the right.

Malta started the second half putting pressure on the Portuguese defence with consecutive corners but could not make them count, before the team was claiming a penalty following a shot by Maria Farrugia. However, the referee dismissed the claims.

Rachel Cuschieri delivered two free-kicks, but Portugal saw away the threat before Francesco Neto made three swaps. Catarina Amado was replaced by Ana Borges. Debutant Stephanie Ribeiro gave way to Jessica Silva, while Dolores Silva occupied the midfield instead of Tatiana Pinto.

Portugal had another major opportunity in the 63rd minute as a ball was hung toward Ana Borges who was free at the right side of the box. She played a low square ball to Ana Capeta, but Emma Lipman got enough of a touch to clear the goalscoring opportunity.

Malta responded through Brenda Borg with an attempt at a counter-attack, but Kailey Willis and Maria Farrugia’s combination was thwarted by the Portuguese defence.

Malta’s Manuela Tesse made two more changes in the 73rd minute, bringing on debutant Sara Saliba instead of Maya Lucia. Meanwhile, Valentina Rapa occupied the centre-back position instead of Charlene Zammit. Francisco Neto also made another swap, bringing on Andreia Jacinto in a swap with Joana Martins.

Emma Xeureb saved Malta from a certain goal with an expertly timed sliding tackle to deny Jessica Silva the opportunity to strike from close range with eight minutes to go.

Portugal kept piling forward, with Maya Cachia keeping her team in it saving strikes from Lucia Alves and Ana Capeta. Meanwhile, debutant Sara Saliba was doing well to hold up the ball and link up play to give the defence respite.

Portugal’s Francisco Neto made a final swap in the 84th minute, bringing on Telma Encarnacao in replacement of Ana Capeta. The striker had an immediate impact in the lead up to the final goal of the night. Released on the left wing, she recovered the ball following an initial challenge by Emma Xuereb before playing a square ball into the box. Maya Cachia got a left hand on it, but diverted it straight into the path of Jessica Silva who tapped home the third in the 85th minute.

Malta’s Rachel Cuschieri was the last the leave the pitch in injury time, handing the captain’s armband to Emma Lipman, and replaced by Jade Flask. Malta saw away the threat from a final free-kick from Portugal, with Dolores Silva firing a shot but just wide of the mark.

Final Score: Portugal 3 – 1 Malta

Final Standings

The match completes the group stage in the UEFA Women’s European Qualifications. The victory for Portugal means that they top the group with sixteen points, while Malta are unable to add to their tally in fourth place. Northern Ireland finish as runners-up having won their home direct confrontation against Bosnia & Herzegovina by 2-0, courtesy of Joely Andrews and Lauren Wade.

The competition will next move into the play-off stages. Portugal, Northern Ireland and Bosnia & Herzegovina will find out their opponents following this Friday’s draw. Malta will not compete due to finishing in fourth place.

Lead Image: Brandon Bonett

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