Germany condemn Malta U-21 to a heavy 6-0 defeat in European Championship qualifier

GERMANY 6

Bischof 3, 65, 67

Lennart 63, 83

Damar 86

MALTA 0

The Malta Under-21 national team suffered another heavy defeat in the European Championship qualifiers, losing 6-0 to Germany at the Sportpark Ronhof Thomas Sommer.

As the scoreline clearly shows, the Germans were in a class of their own throughout the match as the Maltese youngsters suffered their fourth defeat in Group F and have now conceded 18 goals and are yet to find the opponents’ net.

Germany created their first opening through Lukas Ullrich, but his long-range effort sailed over the bar.

The hosts broke the deadlock after nine minutes when captain Tom Bischof picked up the ball following a corner and fired past Karl Sargent.

Germany nearly doubled their lead soon after, but Sargent reacted well to deny Aljoscha Kemlein, before Club Brugge forward Nicolo Tresoldi headed over the bar.

The hosts continued to dominate possession, although breaking through centrally proved difficult as Malta maintained strong defensive density in their own third.

Ilyas Ansah had a low strike blocked by Sargent as Germany kept up the pressure.

Bayern Munich’s Lennart Karl – the UEFA Champions League’s youngest-ever scorer –  went close with a driven effort that flashed just wide of Sargent’s goal past the half-hour mark.

Moments later, Ansah tried his luck with a volley that flew over the bar, with Germany still holding a narrow lead.

Karl eventually found Germany’s second, curling in a fine effort from inside the box. Mert Komur later saw his shot deflected behind for a corner.

Malta made a brave start to the second half, seeking to contest every ball. In the 51st minute, an excellent pass from Jake Azzopardi found Keyon Ewurum, who after dribbling into the penalty area laid it off to Jake Grech, yet his shot was blocked.

However, Germany remained on the front foot, and just minutes later, they had a powerful header smack against the woodwork, before the rebound was put over the bar.

In the 53rd minute, Sargent was called into action, making a stunning double save to deny the home side a third goal.

The backline would be breached again in the 63rd minute, when Bischof let loose from long range, and his strike sailed into the net to make it 3-0.

Bischof would get another goal just moments later, with another left-footed shot that went into the bottom corner. Lennart added to the scoring in the 67th minute, with a left-footed shot that went into the corner.

Malta tried to respond, when Basil Tuma raced through on goal in the 68th minute, yet his shot was saved by Mio Backhaus and turned away for a corner.

Tuma was proving to be a threat in behind, making a number of excellent runs. In the 77th minute, he made another darting run, and when faced with the goalkeeper, saw his strike from a tight angle go narrowly wide into the side netting.

Tuma ran through again in the 81st minute, and he crossed the ball towards Sean Gatt, who headed wide.

Malta were made to pay in the 86th minute, as Germany added a sixth goal with Muhammed Damar’s strike being deflected into the goal.

The Maltese will be in action again on Tuesday when they take on Latvia at the Centenary Stadium, with kick-off at 7pm.