Strong Switzerland sink Malta women in World Cup qualifier

SWITZERLAND 6-1 MALTA
Schertenleib 8; Piubel 23; Xhemaili 23, 80; Csillag 40; Reuteler 70 (S); Willis 8 (M).

SWITZERLAND: L. Peng; N. Riesen, V. Calligaris, N. Maritz, A. Crnogorevic (84 E. Touon), G. Reuteler, L. Walti (68 C. Sow), S. Schertenleib (46 L. Kamber), S. Piubel (68 S. Vallotto), A. Csillag (75 L. Wandeler), R. Xhemaili.
MALTA: M. Cachia; S. Zammit, A. Gatt, O. Grange, M. Lucia (79 E. Xuereb), N. Sciberras (75 T. Falzon), R. Cuschieri, J. Barbara (46 E. Flannery), H. Bugeja (65 J. Flask), M. Farrugia, K. Willis.
Referee: K. Georgieva (Bulgaria FA).
Yellow cards: Grange, Falzon.

Facing one of Europe’s strongest sides and a team determined to secure qualification for next year’s global showpiece, the Maltese squad found the challenge extremely demanding throughout the encounter as Switzerland imposed their quality from the early stages.

Despite showing brief attacking promise, Malta struggled to contain the hosts’ intensity and attacking movement, with the Swiss ultimately cruising to a comfortable victory.

Switzerland took a commanding 4-1 lead over Malta at the break in their UEFA Women’s Nations League clash after an eventful first half saw the hosts capitalise on defensive lapses despite a moment of brilliance from Kailey Willis.

Malta head coach Manuela Tesse opted for goalkeeper Maya Cachia between the sticks after Giulia D’Antuono and Raisa Costantino featured in the previous outings against Northern Ireland.

In defence, Shona Zammit retained her place at full-back while youngster Alexandra Gatt partnered Oceane Grange in central defence following Emma Lipman’s suspension. Maya Lucia completed the backline as she celebrated her 20th international appearance.

Midfielder Nicole Sciberras was also handed a starting role on her 60th cap, alongside experienced playmaker Rachel Cuschieri and Jana Barbara, who currently plays her football in Germany.

Up front, Malta relied on the attacking trio of Maria Farrugia, Haley Bugeja and Kailey Willis – on her 30th appearance for Malta.

Switzerland started brightly and threatened early through Sydney Schertenleib, but Cachia reacted well to keep out the Barcelona youngster’s initial attempt.

However, moments later, Schertenleib found the breakthrough with a superb long-range strike that beat Cachia at the far post to hand the hosts the lead.

The Swiss continued to press high and dominate possession, while Malta struggled to create openings, managing only an isolated effort from Willis which was comfortably dealt with by the Swiss goalkeeper.

Yet Willis, who is currently on the books of Parma, produced a moment of quality to stun the hosts, unleashing a brilliant long-range strike to restore parity.

Malta’s celebrations were short-lived though, as Switzerland regained the lead less than a minute later through Seraina Piubel.

The hosts remained dangerous in attack and Aurelie Csillag went close with an effort that drifted wide of Cachia’s goal before Switzerland extended their advantage through Riola Xhemaili, who converted following a set-piece situation.

Moments later, Csillag added a fourth goal for Switzerland after Malta once again failed to deal with a corner-kick situation, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb in the second half.

At the break, Malta head coach Manuela Tesse opted for a change in midfield, introducing Emma Flannery in place of Jana Barbara.

Switzerland resumed on the front foot and were soon awarded a penalty after Gatt was penalised for a handball inside the box. However, goalkeeper Cachia produced an excellent save to deny Xhemaili from the spot and briefly keep Malta’s hopes alive.

Despite the penalty miss, the hosts continued to apply pressure and eventually added a fifth goal after capitalising on a defensive mistake, with Geraldine Reuteler finding the net.

Switzerland came close to extending their advantage further moments later when Csillag struck the woodwork from inside the area as Malta struggled to contain the hosts’ attacking intensity.

Ten minutes from time, Xhemaili finally got her second goal of the evening, finishing from close range to complete the scoring and seal a comprehensive 6-1 victory for Switzerland.

Other Group B2 result: Türki̇ye 2-1 Northern Ireland.

STANDINGS: Switzerland 13; Türki̇ye 10; Northern Ireland 6; Malta 0.