Portugal ………..3
Malta………….. 1
Ana Capeta 7’, Maria Farrugia 17’, Stephanie Ribeiro 27’, Jessica Silva 87’
Portugal beat Malta by three goals to one in the final match of the UEFA Euro 2025 Women’s European Championship Group B 3 in an entertaining encounter in which the Maltese girls played well.
Malta were without their stalwart Hailey Bugeja who was injured so coach Manuela Tesse introduced Maya Lucia to the starting lineup.
Tesse’s girls hoped to end their commitments in the UEFA Euro 2025 Women’s European Championship with a positive result. However, Portugal took the lead after just 7 minutes when a fine cross by Tatiana Pinto found Ana Capeta who made no mistake volleying past Ebejer.
But Malta did not take things lying down and managed to equalize after just 17 minutes when a shot by Maria Farrugia took a huge deflection and beat Morais. But 10 minutes later, Portugal retook the lead when Capeta found Ribeiro with a fine pass with the lanky forward slotting past Ebejer.
The second half was a rather muted affair with Malta comfortably controlling Portugal’s advances
Portugal had more chances to increase their lead but the Maltese defence held firm. Three minutes from time, Portugal sealed the points when a fine cross by Erncanacao found Jessica Silva who concluded with ease from close range.
Portugal: Patricia Morais, Catarina Amado, Alicia Correia, Ana Seica, Stephanie Ribeiro (Jessica Silva 57’), Andreia Norton, Tatiana Pinto (Ana Borges 57’), Carole Costa, Joana Martins, Ana Rodrigues, Ana Capeta (Telma Erncanacao 84’)
Malta: Patricia Ebejer (Maya Cachia 57’), Ann-Marie Said, Emma Louise Lipman, Rachel Cuschieri (Jade Flask 90+2’), Kailey Willis, Maria Farrugia, Maya Lucia (Sara Saliba 72’), Shona Zammit, Charlene Zammit (Valentina Rapa 72’), Brenda Borg
Referee: Jelena Medkovic (SRB)
