Malta women finish League B with Portugal defeat

PORTUGAL 3-1 MALTA
Ana Capeta 7, Stephanie Ribeiro 28, Jessica Silva 87; Maria Farrugia 16.

Malta wrapped up their League B commitments in the European Championship qualifications with a defeat against group leaders Portugal.

As expected, the Maltese side found the going tough against a Portugal selection that has already qualified to the play-offs of the upcoming Euros.

Yet, Malta did put on a combative performance which saw them find the net for just the second time in their Europe second-tier’s campaign.

For this match, Tesse handed the captain’s armband to Rachel Cuschieri on her 100^th appearance for Malta.

Maya Lucia was deployed from the start, taking over from the injured Haley Bugeja who did not travel with the team.

Portugal took only seven minutes to break the deadlock when Catarina Amado’s cross was met Ana Capeta who slotted past Patricia Ebejer from close-range.

However, Malta stunned the home crowd when Maria Farrugia levelled terms for Manuela Tesse’s side.

Farrugia collected a corner-kick from Rachel Cuschieri, beat her opponent and fired a shot from inside the area, hitting a Portugal player on the way to the back of the net.

It was the first goal Portugal conceded in three home encounters in this qualifying group.

The hosts, though, managed to regain the lead through Stephanie Ribeiro to open her international account on her home Portugal debut.

The 29-year-old forward, who plays with Mexico’s top-flight side Pumas, was called up for the first time during this international window.

Before half-time, Ribeiro could have extended Portugal’s lead just to see her lob go wide from Ebejer’s goal.

At the break, Tesse made two changes as she replaced goalkeeper Patricia Ebejer with Maya Cachia while Emma Xuereb took on the full-back role from Ann-Marie Said.

Midway into the second-half, Tesse handed a debut to young player Sara Saliba.

Last season, Saliba was on the books of Pomigliano before continuing the second part of the season at local champions Birkirkara.

Portugal scored their third four minutes from time through Jessica Silva who converted into the net from point-blank range.