The Maltese national futsal team lost their fourth match in the main round of the 2026 European Championship, going down 5-1 to Italy at the University Pavilion.
Italy made their intentions clear from the start, taking the lead through Julio de Oliveira, who scored with a low shot.
Malta equalised when young Collin Sammut, after receiving a pass from Maicon, had his first shot saved by Italian keeper Dalcin. Sammut then slotted in the rebound to make it 1-1.
Malta then switched to using a flying keeper, which allowed Italy to capitalise and score their second goal through Gabriel Motta. Just before the end of the first half, Murilo Schiochet made it 3-1 for Italy.
In the second half, Italy kept up their pressure and scored again when Gabriel Motta netted his second goal after a free kick hit the post and the rebound fell to him. Nine minutes from time, Italy nearly added a fifth goal when Merlim’s shot hit the crossbar.
The Italians sealed the victory near the end with Italo Rossetti lobbing a ball over Malta’s keeper, Clint Mifsud, to make it 5-1.
Malta’s next match is away to Finland on 10 April.
Malta Squad: Clint Mifsud, Michael Borg, Mark Zammit, Maikinho, Marwan Telisi, Matthias Borg, Dylan Pace, Giancarlo Sammut, Luke Anthony Borg, Luke Gatt, Dale Valletta, Nathan Cope, Karl Schembri, Collin Sammut.
Italy Squad: Dalcin, Italo Rossetti, Venancio, Alex Merlim, Murilo Schiochet, Jurij Bellobuono, Antonio Molaro, Enrico Donin, Julio de Oliveira, Gabriel Motta, Alessio Saponara, Lorenzo Etzi, Michele Podda, Antonino Isgro.
Referees:
- Zyl Robert Fred Sheriff (Renju Unit)
- Valentin Ciuplea (Wales)
- Alan Patchell (Ireland)
Timekeeper: Andrea Naudi (Malta)
