UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship – League B, Group B6
25 November 2025 – Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali
Malta 1–5 Latvia
(HT: 1–1)

Scorers:
0–1 Anna Belova 11’
1–1 Lexine Farrugia 45+1’
1–2 Nikola Pincuka 51’
1–3 Nikola Pincuka (pen) 72’
1–4 Paula Dzene 76’
1–5 Alise Baltrusaite 86’

Malta’s Women’s Under-19 team endured a difficult start to their UEFA European U19 Championship League B campaign, falling 5–1 to a clinical Latvia side in their opening Group B6 fixture at the Centenary Stadium.

The Maltese girls began brightly and were unlucky not to take the lead in the 4th minute when Lara May Azzopardi’s long-range cross-shot rattled the crossbar. Latvia made the most of their first real chance, however, as Anna Belova finished calmly from close range on 11 minutes.

Malta reacted well and were rewarded on the stroke of halftime. Team captain Lexine Farrugia—who plays in Italy with AS Roma—fired a superb strike from the edge of the area to make it 1–1 and give the hosts renewed hope heading into the break.

Latvia overpower Malta in second half

But the second half belonged to Latvia. Just six minutes after the restart, Nikola Pincuka restored Latvia’s lead with a composed close-range finish. Dzene went close to adding another in the 69th minute, flashing a powerful effort just wide, but three minutes later Latvia extended their advantage from the penalty spot, with Pincuka converting for her second of the afternoon.

Latvia’s pressure continued, and in the 76th minute Paula Dzene scored from a rebound to make it 4–1. Captain Alise Baltrusaite rounded off the scoring in the 86th minute with a fierce strike that crashed off the crossbar before crossing the line.

Malta struggled to regain their rhythm after the interval, while Latvia confidently managed their advantage until the final whistle.

In the group’s other opening match, Israel defeated Kazakhstan 2–0. The next fixtures on Friday will see Latvia take on Kazakhstan at 11:00, followed by Malta’s clash with Israel at 14:30, both at the Centenary Stadium.

Line-ups

Malta:
Maya Muscat, Thea Ida Scicluna, Emma Sophia Flannery, Amber Galea, Francesca Bartolo, Lexine Farrugia, Nyorah Celeste, Crista Chetcuti Ganado, Suzanne Farrugia Sacco (Ema Micallef 67’), Lara May Azzopardi, Stella Francalanza
Coach: David Attard

Latvia:
Aleksandra Torgossova, Lizete Duminja, Liva Steinberga (Marija Klementjeva 89’), Alise Baltrusaite, Anna Belova, Paula Dzene (Ance Meijere), Nikola Preijere, Nikola Pincuka (Krista Ruja 85’), Uma Upite, Laura Kalalse (Amber Prymark 76’), Kadsandra Reina Dzene
Coach: Didzis Matiss

Referee: Araksya Saribekyan (Armenia)