The Malta U21 National Team showed resilience and brief spells of attacking promise but were ultimately undone by Georgia’s clinical finishing, falling to a 0–5 defeat on Tuesday evening at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali in a UEFA European U21 Championship qualifier.

Georgia immediately pushed forward from the first whistle and nearly struck early through a free-kick, but James Sissons tipped the effort away for a corner. Malta gradually settled into the match, creating opportunities through Keyon Ewurum and Basil Tuma midway through the first half.

However, Georgia broke the deadlock in the 37th minute, countering swiftly from a Maltese corner. Saba Kharebashvili found the net with a composed finish. Seven minutes later, Nikoloz Dadiani doubled the lead with a powerful strike just before half-time.

Malta pressed higher after the break, with Tuma going close to capitalising on a loose pass in the 61st minute, but Georgia proved ruthless in front of goal. Giorgi Tabatadze made it 0–3 in the 68th minute with a curling shot, followed by a header from Aleksandre Narimanidze just three minutes later.

The visitors wrapped up the scoring in the 81st minute when substitute Aleko Basiladze raced down the left wing and slotted home the fifth.

Despite their late efforts, Malta couldn’t find a consolation goal, and Georgia left with a convincing win.

📊 Match Statistics

UEFA European U21 Championship Qualifier
🗓️ 14 October 2025 – 📍 Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali
Malta 0–5 Georgia (HT 0–2)

Goals:
37’ Kharebashvili (GEO)
44’ Dadiani (GEO)
68’ Tabatadze (GEO)
71’ Narimanidze (GEO)
81’ Basiladze (GEO)

Malta: Sissons (GK), Ging (Xerri 46’), Attard, Grech (Cross 46’), Scicluna, Ewurum, Borg (Buhagiar 90+1’), Micallef (C), Azzopardi, Hili, Tuma.
Coach: Davide Mazzotta

Georgia: Makatsaria (GK), Bukia, Narimanidze, Kharebashvili, Tsulukidze (Lordkipanidze 76’), Egoyan, Deisadze (Gotsiridze 69’), Latsabidze (C), Japaridze (Basiladze 76’), Dadiani, Tabatadze (Parkadze 69’).
Coach: Ramaz Svanadze

Referee: Johann Ingi Jonsson (ISL)
Yellow cards: Grech (MLT), Ewurum (MLT), Narimanidze (GEO), Hili (MLT), Borg (MLT), Deisadze (GEO)