Centenary Stadium, 16.02.2026
MALTA…0
NORTH MACEDONIA…0
(HT 0–0)

The Malta Under-16 boys’ national team delivered a much-improved performance on Monday, securing a goalless draw against North Macedonia in the second of two international friendlies. Following a difficult 0–5 defeat in their previous meeting last Saturday—where Malta played with ten men for the majority of the match—Davide Mazzotta’s side showed great resilience and were arguably the better side in a dominant second half.

First Half: Defensive Solidity

The match began with North Macedonia looking to assert early pressure. Medin Emini saw an early effort sail high, while Malta responded through Mateja Stevanovic, whose attempt also missed the target.

Malta goalkeeper Noah Mulholland was called into action frequently during the first period, handling a series of corners with confidence. The visitors’ best chance fell to centre-back Filip Gjiorgjioski in the 24th minute, but he blasted over from close range following a free-kick. Despite several half-chances for the guests, the Maltese backline held firm to keep the score level at the break.

Second Half: Malta Take Control

Malta emerged for the second half with renewed energy, pinning North Macedonia into their own half for long stretches. In the 58th minute, Sean Farrugia made a dangerous run down the right flank, only to be thwarted by goalkeeper Dimitar Petrov.

The hosts were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty in the 68th minute when Gianni Zerafa appeared to be brought down in the box, but the referee waved play on. Shortly after, Mulholland kept Malta level with a brilliant point-blank save from Marin Krstevski—the visitors’ only major threat of the second half.

As the game entered its final stages, Malta pushed for a winner. Gianni Zerafa saw a goal-bound effort tipped behind for a corner, and in stoppage time, Petrov produced a spectacular save to deny Jerome Gaffiero’s header, ensuring the spoils were shared.

Malta Lineup:
Noah Mulholland (Max Mizzi Mifsud 79′), Luke Buttigieg (Zack Xiberras 90′), Giorgio Cristauro (Kenzil Vella 76′), Nicholas Busuttil (Kaden Camilleri 90′), Matteo Mangion (Andrei Agius 90′), Emerson Agius (Liam Gatt 90′), Mateja Stevanovic (Liam Galea 75′), Sean Farrugia (Jerome Gaffiero 76′), Lukas Freddie Wright (Kenzil Vella 79′), Ayrem Aquilina (Gianni Zerafa 46′), Matthew Higgans (Cole Zerafa 46′).
Coach: Davide Mazzotta

North Macedonia Lineup:
Dimitar Petrov, Adrian Veleski (Mihajlo Pavlov 71′), Filip Gjorgjioski (Matej Nikolov 79′), Amar Akiki (Mitko Stojanov 79′), Djihan Ibraimi (Ognen Sivevski 71′), Matej Bocheski, Aleksandar Polimac (Ilija Aksentiev 66′), Bobi Nedanovski (Marin Krstevski 66′), Efe Raifi (Dardan Ademi 46′), Medin Emini (Ejser Fetai 79′), Blagojche Sedloski (Dalibor Markovic 71′).
Coach: Ilami Isejni

Referee: Kieron Haber (Malta)