UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE 2024/25 
League C/D Play-Offs, first leg 
26.03.26, National Stadium, Ta’ Qali 
 
MALTA…0 
LUXEMBOURG…2 
(HT 0-0) 
 
0-1 V.Thill 47, 0-2 Olesen 90+2

Malta were left to rue a string of missed opportunities as Luxembourg secured a decisive 2-0 victory in the first leg of their UEFA Nations League play-off, putting themselves firmly in control ahead of the return fixture.

Head coach Emilio De Leo introduced two changes to his starting XI, handing Enrico Pepe a place in central defence and drafting in Paul Mbong to cover for his suspended brother Joseph. Meanwhile, midfielder Teddy Teuma marked a personal milestone by earning his 50th international cap, though his evening was cut short by injury.

The match experienced an unusual start, with kick-off delayed by eight minutes due to VAR communication issues. Once play began, Luxembourg quickly asserted control, but Malta carved out the first opening when a lapse from Laurent Jans allowed Ilyas Chouaref a sight of goal, only for Dirk Carlson to recover in time.

Luxembourg threatened midway through the half, with Vincent Thill narrowly missing the target with an angled effort. Malta responded through Teuma’s creativity, setting up Irvin Cardona, whose delivery found Matthew Guillaumier, though his attempt failed to trouble Anthony Moris.

Malta’s momentum took a hit on 37 minutes when Teuma was forced off injured, replaced by Jake Grech. Despite the setback, the hosts finished the half strongly, creating two excellent chances in stoppage time. Cardona failed to convert from close range after good build-up play involving Alex Satariano and Mbong, before Jans nearly turned the ball into his own net under pressure, striking the post.

The second half followed a similar pattern, with Malta continuing to press but lacking a clinical edge. Mbong squandered a golden opportunity early after the restart, and Luxembourg capitalised soon after. Florian Bohnert’s cross found Thill unmarked at the far post, and he made no mistake in giving the visitors the lead.

Malta attempted to respond, with Chouaref testing Moris from distance, but their attacking rhythm faded. Further chances went begging as Chouaref hesitated in the box, while Satariano failed to convert from close range following Zach Muscat’s delivery.

A late opportunity summed up Malta’s night, as Trent Buhagiar missed from point-blank range after good work by Brandn Paiber and Cardona. Luxembourg then added a second in dramatic fashion, with Mathias Olesen scoring directly from a corner to seal the result.

Malta now face a difficult task in the return leg at the Stade de Luxembourg, where they will need a strong performance to overturn the deficit and keep their League C hopes alive.

Malta 
Henry Bonello, Zach Muscat (Juan Corbalan 78), Enrico Pepe, Kurt Shaw, Ryan Camenzuli, Matthew Guillaumier (Andrea Zammit 87), Alex Satariano (Trent Buhagiar 78), Teddy Teuma (Jake Grech 37), Paul Mbong (Brandon Paiber 87), Ilyas Chouaref, Irvin Cardona. 
Coach: Emilio De Leo 
 
Luxembourg 
Anthon Moris (Tiago Pereira 68) , Laurent Jans, Seid Korac, Dirk Carlson, Florian Bohnert, Mathias Olesen, Christopher Martins (Tomas Moreira 87), Leandro Barreiro, Vincent Thill (Sebastien Thill 68), Aiman Dardari (Jayson Videira 68), Danel Sinani (Enzo Duarte 90+5). 
Coach: Jeff Strasser 
 
Referee 
Irfan Peljto (Bosnia Herzegovina) 
 
Yellow cards 
Satariano, Pepe (M) 
 
Attendance 
9467