Luxembourg beat Malta 2-0 at the Ta’Qali National Stadium on Thursday evening, putting themselves in a strong position to avoid relegation in the UEFA Nations League.
The first half was fairly quiet, with neither side creating much of note. Malta’s Matthew Guillaumier had the best chance of the opening 45 minutes, but Luxembourg goalkeeper Anthony Moris held firm.
Luxembourg broke the deadlock just two minutes into the second half. Vincent Thill, left completely unmarked, stuck out a leg to divert a low cross from Florian Bohnert into the net. Malta pushed for an equaliser and came close through Ilyas Chouaref, but Moris was equal to it.
It looked as though Malta would head into next week’s second leg just a goal down, but Luxembourg made it even better for themselves in the third minute of stoppage time. Mathias Olesen produced a stunning direct corner kick that flew straight into the net to make it 2-0.
Luxembourg, who hadn’t won in ten matches before tonight, will now go into the second leg as clear favourites to secure promotion to League C of the Nations League.
