WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
Centenary Stadium, Ta’ Qali
MALTA…3
CROATIA…2

Malta secured an impressive and dramatic 3–2 victory over a strong Croatia side on Friday evening, coming from behind in the final stages of the match thanks to two late goals.

The home side made a bright start, immediately looking to impose themselves against a technically sound Croatian team. Their early pressure paid off in the 15th minute when Maria Farrugia burst down the right flank and delivered a precise ball to Rachel Cuschieri, who calmly finished from close range to put Malta 1–0 ahead.

Croatia attempted to respond quickly, pushing Malta deep into their defensive third, but the Maltese back line held firm. Disciplined and organised, Malta limited their opponents to long-range efforts and deep crosses, seeing out the first half with their narrow lead intact.

After the break, Croatia emerged stronger and turned the game around in a matter of minutes. In the 50th minute, Karla Kurkutović looped a shot over goalkeeper Giulia D’Antuono to level the score. Moments later, Ivana Rudelić fired a low strike into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area, putting the visitors 2–1 in front.

Malta reacted with determination, pressing Croatia high and regaining control. In the 60th minute, Farrugia intercepted the ball near the penalty area and set up Shona Zammit, whose effort drifted wide.

The hosts continued to push forward, searching for a breakthrough, and their persistence was rewarded in the 82nd minute. Leah Ayres powered down the left wing and found Sara Saliba, who turned superbly before placing her shot into the net to make it 2–2.

Just two minutes later, the match was flipped on its head once more. Farrugia collected the ball inside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful strike that crashed off the crossbar and crossed the line, restoring Malta’s lead at 3–2 and sending the home crowd into celebration.

Malta defended resolutely in the closing minutes, holding off Croatia’s final push to secure a memorable win.

The two sides will meet again on Monday, 1st December, in another international friendly kicking off at 17:00 hrs.

Malta
1 Giulia D’Antuono (GK), 4 Emma Lipman (C), 5 Stephania Farrugia, 8 Rachel Cuschieri, 9 Kailey Willis (7 Sara Saliba, 62’), 10 Maria Farrugia, 13 Maya Lucia (2 Alexandra Marcella Gatt, 46’), 14 Shona Zammit, 18 Yulya Carella (11 Leah Ayres, 79’), 20 Nicole Sciberras, 22 Rebecca Bajada
Coach: Manuela Tesse

Croatia
1 Doris Bačić (GK) (C), 2 Lucia Orkić (14 Antonia Dulčić, 90’), 3 Ana Jelenčić, 4 Lucija Vunić (11 Ivana Slipčević, 90’), 6 Tea Vračević, 8 Maja Joščak, 9 Ivana Rudelić (18 Ella Luština, 90+5’), 13 Helena Spajić, 19 Janja Čanjevac, 20 Karla Kurkutović (10 Izabela Lojna, 65’), 21 Barbara Živković (7 Petra Mikulica, 65’)
Coach: Nenad Gračan

Referee: Emanuela Rusta (ALB)