Captain Lipman out injured, Willis starts upfront as Malta women host Portugal

Malta women’s coach Manuela Tesse made two changes in the starting formation as her side will host Portugal in this evening’s second Women’s Euro 2025 qualifier, at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off: 6.30pm).

Captain Emma Lipman is out of the game after failing to recovery from last Friday’s injury she picked up against Northern Ireland.

Birkirkara’s youngster Valentina Rapa will replace her, just like she did in the Belfast game.

Sampdoria midfielder Rachel Cuschieri will be captaining the squad.

Meanwhile, Italian coach Tesse made another change upfront as Kailey Willis will lead at the attack together with Haley Bugeja and Maria Farrugia.

Willis, who is on the books of Serie C’s Venezia, came off in the second half for Alishia Sultana who had suffered an apparent hamstring injury against Northern Ireland.

Portugal, on their part, have also made some changes to their starting formation including goalkeeper Ines Pereira who takes over from Patricia Morais who featured in the Bosnia-Herzegovina victory.

Captaining the squad will be Dolores Silva who plies her trade at Braga.

Former United States-based player Jessica Silva, now at Benfica and Diana Silva, who is on the books of Sporting, start upfront with highly-rated youngster Kika Nazareth behind them.

In the other group’s match, Northern Ireland secured their first win of the season after defeating Bosnia-Herzegovina 3-1 in Sarajevo.

The Northern Irish squad move to four points while Bosnia remain anchored at the bottom with two defeats in as many matches played.

Bosnia face Malta twice in next month’s international window.