ANDORRA 0
MALTA 0
ANDORRA
A. Martin; M. Da Cruz, L. Sin (65 G. Lluch), P. Marques (72 Z. Planaguma), N. Rosas, C. Ber, E. Goncalves, T. Morato, M. Ruzafa (72 C. Lacour), L. Sole, A. Correia (65 E. Duro).
MALTA
J. Xuereb (46 M. Cachia); R. Bajada, S. Farrugia, O. Grande, F. Buttigieg (69 Y. Carella), J. Barbara (69 C. Zammit), N. Sciberras (45 S. Zammit), R. Cuschieri, L. Farrugia (84 L. Ayres), K. Willis, M. Farrugia.
Referee: Satu Miettunen (Finland FA).
Yellow cards: Willis, Da Cruz, Sole.
Malta concluded their UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign with a goalless draw against Andorra at the newly inaugurated Estadi Nacional d’Encamp on Tuesday.
With promotion to League B already sealed the previous week, coach Manuela Tesse opted to rotate her squad, experimenting with new combinations and making several changes throughout the match. The result was a lacklustre encounter in which neither side managed to find the breakthrough.
This draw was Malta’s only one in the group, closing their campaign with four wins, one draw, and one defeat. For Andorra, the result marked a milestone – it was the first time they avoided defeat against Malta in seven head-to-head meetings.
The hosts settled well in the early stages, attempting to control possession and slow the tempo. Malta, meanwhile, pressed high and looked to disrupt Andorra’s rhythm, though their pressing didn’t translate into many clear-cut chances.
The first real opportunity fell to Andorra after 20 minutes when Tere Morató directed a header from a set-piece just wide of the post. Malta responded with a similar threat of their own, as Oceane Grange’s header glanced just past the Andorran goal.
Malta’s best chance of the first half came shortly after when Rachel Cuschieri tried her luck with a curling effort, only to be denied by the Andorran goalkeeper. Grange then came agonizingly close to scoring but saw her attempt crash off the crossbar.
Before the break, Nicole Sciberras unleashed a long-range effort that was smothered by the Andorra shot-stopper, while veteran defender Stephania Farrugia nearly found the net with a glancing header from a Cuschieri free-kick that flew inches wide.
At half-time, Tesse made two substitutions, introducing Maya Cachia in goal for Janice Xuereb and Shona Zammit in midfield for Sciberras, continuing her strategy of testing player depth.
Just after the restart, Kailey Willis was lucky to stay on the pitch after a reckless challenge earned her a yellow card – one that triggers an automatic suspension for the first match of next season’s League B campaign.
Andorra’s Maria Ruzafa nearly punished Malta with a powerful strike from distance that rattled the crossbar, serving as a wake-up call for the visitors.
In the final stages, Andorra applied increasing pressure, forcing Malta to defend deep in their own third. Despite some nervy moments, the Maltese backline held firm.
Malta had a late chance through substitute Yulya Carella, but her long-range shot lacked venom and was comfortably saved.
As fatigue set in, the quality dipped further, and both sides struggled to create any meaningful opportunities in the dying minutes.
In the end, the points were shared in what was a subdued conclusion to Malta’s otherwise successful Nations League journey.
Other Group C2 result: Georgia vs Cyprus 1-2.
Group C2 standings: Malta 13, Cyprus 10, Georgia 6, Andorra 5.
