Cuschieri tops assists chart, Bugeja second best scorer in UEFA Women’s Nations League

Sampdoria’s Cuschieri assisted both goals in Tuesday’s win against Latvia.

Throughout its successful UEFA Women’s Nations League journey, the Malta women’s national team was buoyed by the presence of two Italy-based players in midfielder Rachel Cuschieri and forward Haley Bugeja.

Cuschieri, one of the most experienced Maltese players with 92 caps, teed up both Kailey Willis and Maria Farrugia to help Malta cancel Latvia’s one-goal lead and clinch the three points in front of the home crowd.

These two assists propelled Cuschieri, who is on the books of Serie A side Sampdoria, to six and in top position of the assists chart across all three Leagues of the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

She is joined by Republic of Ireland’s captain Katie McCabe, who plays for Arsenal, and recorded a couple of assists during their 6-1 rout of Northern Ireland in their Tuesday’s commitment.

Meanwhile, Inter forward Haley Bugeja was pipped to first place in the top scorers list on the final day of action after Israel’s skipper Sharon Beck – who plies her trade in German football – grabbed a hat-trick in their 4-1 win over Estonia.

Beck, who had faced Malta during the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 qualifications, finished top with nine goals while Bugeja follows in second having scored eight of Malta’s 13 goals in their League C campaign.