Women’s International Friendly
Saturday, 25 October 2026 – Centenary Stadium, Attard
Final Score: Malta 0 – 2 Belarus
Scorers: Anastasiya Shlapakova 54’ (BLR), Anastassia Shuppo (pen) 90+5’

The Malta Women’s National Team showed determination and defensive resilience but ultimately fell to a 2–0 defeat against Belarus, conceding both goals in the second half of their international friendly at the Centenary Stadium.

Head coach Manuela Tesse fielded a strong starting lineup, with attacking trio Haley Bugeja, Maria Farrugia, and Shona Zammit all in the first eleven. The match also held emotional significance as Gabriella Zahra made her final appearance for the national team, honoured before kick-off by Malta FA President Bjorn Vassallo for her contribution to Maltese football.

First Half – Balanced but Cautious

Belarus began brightly, pressing high and forcing an early save from Giulia D’Antuono, who denied Anastasiya Shlapakova from a tight angle after just eight minutes.

Malta responded with disciplined defending and occasional forays forward. Haley Bugeja tested Belarus goalkeeper Mariya Svidunovich late in the half, while at the other end, Melana Suratsava’s effort was comfortably saved by D’Antuono as both teams went into the break level.

Second Half – Belarus Take Control

The visitors broke the deadlock in the 54th minute. From a corner, Anastasiya Shlapakova reacted quickest to a loose ball and slotted home from close range. That goal shifted momentum firmly in Belarus’ favour, as they began to dominate possession and territory.

Malta remained organized defensively, with Emma Lipman and Stephania Farrugia marshalling the back line, while D’Antuono made a series of key interventions, including a sharp stop from Viktoria Valiuk in the 86th minute.

In stoppage time, Malta nearly grabbed an equalizer when substitute Yulya Carella saw her header brilliantly saved by Svidunovich. However, in the dying seconds, the hosts conceded a controversial penalty, which Anastassia Shuppo converted at the third attempt after D’Antuono initially saved the first effort.

Despite the loss, Malta earned plaudits for their determination and structured play against a physically strong Belarusian side. The two teams will meet again in the second friendly of the double-header.

Match Statistics

Lineups

Malta:
Giulia D’Antuono (GK), Oceane Grange, Emma Louise Lipman, Stephania Farrugia, Rachel Cuschieri, Kailey Willis (Leah Ayres 88’), Maria Farrugia, Maya Lucia (Emma Xuereb 56’), Shona Zammit (Yulya Carella 83’), Nicole Sciberras (Gabriella Zahra 83’), Haley Bugeja.
Coach: Manuela Tesse

Belarus:
Mariya Svidunovich (GK), Anastasiya Linnik, Anastasiya Shlapakova (Nastassia Shuppo 82’), Hanna Siniauskaya (Viktoryia Valiuk 66’), Zaryna Kapustsina, Hanna Kaziupa, Anastasiya Maher (Darya Harshkova 90+2’), Yuliya Sliasrchyk, Karyna Alkhovik (Anastasiya Kavliova 66’), Melana Surautsava (Alina Charlionik 82’), Aryna Sitnikava.
Coach: Francois Dahdah

Referee: Sara Telek (Austria)