LITHUANIA……1
MALTA………….1
Malta came heartbreakingly close to a famous win in Lithuania on Thursday evening, only to be denied by a controversial penalty deep into added time.
The match, played at the Dariaus ir Girėno Stadium in Kaunas, ended 1–1, but it felt like a defeat for the Maltese players and fans after a strong performance that deserved more.
For most of the evening, Malta looked the better side. They defended well, attacked with purpose, and played with real spirit. Missing key players like Matthew Guillaumier, James Carragher, and playmaker Teddy Teuma, head coach Emilio De Leo was forced to make changes. Only four players from the previous game against the Netherlands kept their places.
One of the biggest talking points before the game was the debut of French-born striker Irvin Cardona, who recently became eligible to play for Malta. He joined five other foreign-based players in the starting line-up.
From the first minutes, it was clear Malta meant business. Goalkeeper Henry Bonello was called into action early, making a smart save from Lithuanian midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. Malta responded quickly with chances of their own, including a near-miss from Joseph Mbong and a long-range shot by his brother Paul that was saved.
Despite both teams having chances, the first half ended goalless.
After the break, Malta continued to look dangerous. Just four minutes in, Alex Satariano curled a lovely shot just over the bar. Then, in the 72nd minute, Malta missed a golden chance when Cardona worked hard to win the ball and set up a move that ended with Satariano failing to direct his shot on target from close range.
But Malta finally found the breakthrough in the 83rd minute. A quick counter-attack started by Ilyas Chouaref saw Adam Magri Overend square the ball to Satariano, who calmly slotted into the net. Malta were 1-0 up and dreaming of victory.
The drama wasn’t over.
In stoppage time, substitute Jake Azzopardi was sent off after a long VAR review for a foul, a decision that many felt was harsh. Then, just moments later, disaster struck. From a corner, the referee judged that Malta captain Zach Muscat had fouled Edgardas Utkus in the box. Despite protests and another VAR check, the penalty was given.
Bonello got a hand to Gineitis’s shot from the spot, but couldn’t keep it out. Lithuania had equalised in the 97th minute.
Utkus was later sent off for elbowing Kurt Shaw, but it was too late to make a difference.
At full time, the Maltese players looked crushed. They had come so close to a famous away win in the World Cup qualifiers, what would have been only their fourth ever. But instead, they had to settle for a point.
Malta now return home, where they’ll play a friendly against San Marino next Tuesday at the National Stadium.
Lithuania
Edvinas Gertmonas, Klaudijus Upstas (Tomas Kalinauskas 68), Edvinas Girdvainis, Edgardas Utkus, Artemijus Tutyskinas, Justas Lasickas, Modestas Vorobjovas (Romualdas Jansonas 76), Gratas Sirgedas (Paulius Golubickas 68), Gvidas Gineitis, Artur Dolznikov (Eligijus Jankauskas 46), Gytis Paulauskas.
Coach: Edgardas Jankauskas
Malta
Henry Bonello, Kurt Shaw, Zach Muscat Enrico Pepe, Myles Beerman (Juan Corbalan 46), Joseph Mbong (Adam Magri Overend 74), Brandon Paiber (Jake Grech 64), Alex Satariano, Ilyas Chouaref, Paul Mbong (Jodi Jones 74), Irvin Cardona (Jake Azzopardi 86).
Coach: Emilio De Leo
Referee
Giorgi Kruashvili (Georgia)
