UEFA Women’s Nations League – Group C2
Georgia………….2
Malta………………3
Malta’s women’s national team secured a deserved three points in Group C2 of the UEFA Women’s Nations League with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Georgia in Tbilisi.
The Maltese side were dominant in the first half, controlling possession and netting three goals, though they eased off in the second period and allowed Georgia back into the match with two replies.
Malta took the lead in the 26th minute when Haley Bugeja delivered a pinpoint cross from the right to Maria Farrugia, who headed past Gabunia to open the scoring.
Georgia responded just two minutes later through Nino Bukhiridze, whose long-range effort went just over the bar.
On the half-hour mark, Malta doubled their advantage. Bugeja once again burst down the right and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner, leaving Gabunia helpless.
One minute before the break, Maria Farrugia struck again with a powerful effort that caught the Georgian goalkeeper off guard, completing a superb first-half display for Malta, who went in 3-0 up at half-time.
Malta resumed where they left off and nearly made it four just two minutes into the second half, as Farrugia’s strike flashed narrowly wide.
In the 53rd minute, Georgia’s Natia Danelia had a go from outside the box, but her shot also missed the target.
Georgia pulled one back in the 59th minute after a defensive error from Emma Lipman allowed Tatiana Matveeva to steal possession and square for Teona Bakradze, who finished calmly past Xuereb.
Bakradze again caused panic in the 72nd minute, firing another shot just wide of the post.
In the 79th minute, Rachel Cuschieri came agonisingly close to restoring Malta’s three-goal lead, rattling the crossbar with a well-struck effort from the edge of the area.
In stoppage time, Georgia were awarded a penalty after Bakradze was brought down in the box by Nicole Sciberras.
Maiko Bebia’s initial spot-kick was saved by Janice Xuereb, but the referee ordered a retake, which was converted by Natia Danelia to make it 3-2.
Despite the late drama, Malta held on for the win and will now face Georgia again on Tuesday at the Centenary Stadium at 7pm. The match will be broadcast live on TVMsport+.
Referee: Elvira Nurmustavina
Line-ups:
Georgia:
Tatiana Gabunia, Gvandsa Kavadishvili, Nino Pasikashvili, Natia Danelia, Nino Chkartishvili (Sopiko Narsnia 68 min), Teona Bakradze, Tatiana Matveeva (Lizi Mtkerashvili 87 min), Tinatin Ambalia (Irina Khaburdzania 50 min), Salome Gasviani, Nino Bukhiridze (Maiko Bebia 46 min), Mariam Kalandadze.
Malta:
Janice Xuereb, Emma Lipman, Oceane Grange, Rachel Cuschieri, Maria Farrugia, Kailey Willis (Lexine Farrugia 87 min), Maya Lucia, Shona Zammit (Jana Barbara 87 min), Emma Xuereb (Fiona Buttigieg 90 min), Nicole Sciberras, Haley Bugeja (Yulya Carella 90 min).
