Watch: Malta ease past San Marino as coach De Leo secures first win

MALTA 3-1 SAN MARINO
Cardona 5, Muscat 11, P. Mbong 33 (M); Nanni 45 penalty (S).

MALTA
H. Bonello; K. Shaw, M. Guillaumier, J. Mbong (65 A. Magri Overend), P. Mbong (65 K. Reid), I. Chouaref, I. Cardona, E. Pepe (46 J. Borg), J. Corbalan (86 K. Scicluna), Z. Muscat (72 M. Beerman), A. Satariano (65 Y. Yankam).

SAN MARINO
E. Colombo; S. Giocondi, F. Fabbri, M. Cevoli (57 A. Riccardi), L. Capicchioni (76 G. Matteoni), N. Nanni (66 N. Giacopetti), F. Berardi, A. Contadini, A. Tosi (57 G. Valentini), S. Zannoni, M. Mularoni (57 M. Salicioni).

Referee: Andrei Chivulete (Romania FA).

Yellow cards: Capicchioni, Satariano.

Red card: Cardona (M) 45, Berardi (S) 45.

Malta cruised to a comfortable 3-1 victory over San Marino in an international friendly at the National Stadium, securing their first win under newly appointed coach Emilio De Leo.

It was a familiar outcome for the Maltese side, who have now won all four of their encounters against San Marino – a team currently ranked 210th in the FIFA standings, the lowest in world football.

Yet despite the opposition’s stature, this friendly was seen as a valuable test for De Leo’s squad, particularly with next March’s decisive Nations League promotion play-off against Luxembourg looming large.

De Leo kept faith with most of the players who started in last week’s 1-1 World Cup qualifier against Lithuania. That included Irvin Cardona, who was making his home debut for Malta, while captain Matthew Guillaumier returned to the line-up after missing the Lithuania game through suspension.

San Marino, for their part, fielded a familiar formation featuring Edoardo Colombo, the goalkeeper of Maltese Premier League side Gżira United.

Malta started brightly, with Joseph Mbong forcing Colombo into an early save. The breakthrough came soon after as Cardona marked his first international goal in style, firing a precise low drive past Colombo to put Malta ahead.

San Marino threatened a response through Nicola Nanni, but his attempt was blocked by Henry Bonello.

Moments later, Malta doubled their advantage when Guillaumier’s effort deflected off defender Zach Muscat and into the net. For Muscat, it was a second career goal against San Marino, having also netted the winner in their 2022 Nations League encounter.

Confidence grew in Malta’s play, and on 32 minutes they made it 3-0. Muscat turned provider this time, setting up Paul Mbong, who calmly slotted the ball home to further extend the lead.

Tempers flared, however, shortly before half-time. Cardona and Filippo Berardi were sent off for dissent following an argument during a corner action, leaving each side with ten men.

San Marino then pulled one back on the stroke of half-time when Nanni converted a penalty after Alexander Satariano had brought him down inside the area.

The second half proved quieter, with Malta managing the game while San Marino searched in vain for a way back.

Samuele Zannoni tried his luck with a curling effort that went wide, while substitute Chouraef twice came close to restoring Malta’s three-goal cushion, only to be denied by wayward finishing and a fine Colombo save.

In the closing stages, coach De Leo handed a debut to Żabbar St. Patrick youngster Kean Scicluna.