H. Bonello, R. Camenzuli, G. Mentz (87 T. Buhagiar), K. Shaw, M. Guillaumier, J. Mbong (46 A. Magri Overend), T. Teuma (76 E. Pepe), I. Cardona (76 P. Mbong), I. Chouaref, Z. Muscat (54 J. Corbalan), A. Satariano.
POLAND
B. Dragowski, P. Wisniewski (77 B. Bereszynski), R. Lewandowski, P. Zielinski, J. Kaminski (90 F. Rozga), J. Kiwior, P. Wszolek (77 K. Grosicki), B. Sliszl (77 B. Kaputska), M. Skoras, N. Zalewski (46 K. Swiderski).
Referee: Igor Pajac (Croatia).
Yellow cards: Zalewski, Teuma, Satariano.
A Pietr Zielinski goal five minutes from time broke Malta’s hearts as Poland scrambled to a 3-2 win in a thrilling World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium.
It was a hard outcome for a gallant Maltese side who managed to take the fight to their more-quoted opponents and twice managed to come from behind and level matters.
However, it had to be a deflected strike from Zielinski that handed all the spoils to Poland, who will now proceed to take part in the World Cup play-offs in March after finishing runners up to Group G winners the Netherlands.
For Malta, the final result was a tough pill to swallow as they came agonisingly close to rewriting the history books of the senior national team as had they held to a point they would have increased their tally to six – which would have been the highest ever achieved by our senior selection in a qualifying campaign.
But despite the defeat, the Maltese players were still given a standing ovation by the home fans for another positive performance that arrived following last Friday’s famous win in Finland, and further instils more self-belief that the team is heading in the right direction ahead of next March decisive UEFA Nations League promotion play-off against Luxembourg.
Malta coach Emilio De Leo made three changes to the team that beat Finland last week.
Gabriel Mentz was back in the team’s three-man defence at the expense of Enrico Pepe while Ryan Camenzuli started at right back at the expense of Juan Corbalan.
In midfield, Teddy Teuma returned from suspension and started ahead of Paul Mbong.
On their part, Poland, under the charge of Jan Urban, fielded their best elements with Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski leading their forward line.
Poland tried to impose their play early on and after three minutes Henry Bonello was alert to push away Bartosz Slisz’s thumping drive.
The Malta no.1 was again alert on 12 minutes when Michal Skoras turned past Zach Muscat but his cross-shot was blocked by Bonello.
Malta continued to show great attacking intent but they still struggled to create clear-cut chances.
On 21 minutes, Nicola Zalewski embarked on a surging run, but his low drive whizzed past the upright.
The visitors did find the breakthrough just past the half-hour mark. They were awarded a free-kick, and Piotr Zielinski’s dipping cross was met by the deadly Lewandowski who sent a firm header past Bonello.
But the goal failed to derail the home side as they took just four minutes to level matters.
Ilyas Chouaref latched onto a long pass and sent a fine pass to the unmarked Joseph Mbong, who was denied by the onrushing Polish goalkeeper Bartlomiej Drawgowski. However, the ball fell to Irvin Cardona, who bundled the ball home from close in to send the National Stadium into raptures.
Four minutes from the break, Malta came close to taking the lead.
Alex Satariano showed great footwork to turn past his marker and his angled shot was saved by Dragowski.
On the restart, De Leo withdrew Joseph Mbong and roped in Adam Magri Overend to end fresh impetus from the flanks.
In the 50th minute, Lewandowski had a glorious chance to restore his team’s lead when he was put through on goal, but he chipped the ball over the bar with only Bonello to beat.
Two minutes later, Jakub Kaminski hit a thumping drive that just flashed past the upright as the visitors were starting to pile up the pressure.
The Polish side did get their rewards when Lewandowski motored his way through but his shot was blocked by Shaw. However, the ball was deflected into the path of Pawel Wszolek who had the easiest of tasks to push the ball into an empty net.
Malta tried to fight back and a minute later, Cardona sped inside the area but was pulled down by Przemysiaw Wisniewski but the referee waved play on.
Poland soon were on the offensive and Michal Skoras picked Karol Swiderski who fired home.
However, the VAR officials were reviewing the challenge on Cardona and referee Ivan Babek was called onto the screen and annulled Poland’s third goal and awarded a penalty for Malta.
Teddy Teuma stepped up and sent Dragowski the wrong way to make it 2-2.
Malta kept coming and 11 minutes from time, Dragowski had to dive full stretch to keep out Magri Overend’s shot.
However, Malta’s hopes taking a point from the match were crushed by Piotr Zielinski as his thumping drive was deflected past the diving Bonello to hand Poland the win.
