It’s over! The match in Malta has ended. Despite the hosts’ best efforts, they ultimately fell to a Finland side that only needed a precise shot to score the winning goal.
These added minutes were highly contested, and Pukki was looking to reach the finish line, but three Maltese players surrounded him and with great effort managed to block him and prevent him from reaching the local goal in danger, looking for another goal.
There’s still time! The referee decided to add six minutes. Between VAR and the numerous substitutions, it was a lot of time lost in this second half. There’s still a chance to tie the score.
Malta’s final change. Muscat leaves the match, and Beerman comes on. The home side continues to move pieces, looking to exhaust every opportunity in this first match, which was very close for the home side.
It doesn’t count! Malta was already waiting for the ball to enter the box, but Chouaref was too far ahead. The referee ruled out the play due to poor positioning by the player who was pushing forward.
Malta’s substitutions. Joseph Mbong and Satariano are out of the match, while Adam Magri, Overend, and Enrico Pepe are substitutes. Both will look to prevent Finland from scoring any more goals.
Finland’s final substitution is Antman, who is coming off the match shortly before the end. Suhonen replaces the visiting player and will look to hold the ball in midfield to prevent Malta from creating any more opportunities.
He’s out of the match! After reviewing the play in the VAR, the referee determined that Shaw had made a dangerous tackle on Kairinen. The referee didn’t hesitate, showing him the red card and sending him off.
VAR! Shaw received a yellow card after a heavy challenge on Kairinen. However, after a few seconds, the VAR called him in to review the play. It could be a red card given the type of challenge.
What a huge miss! A great cross from the home side into the box, and Joseph Mbong stepped up to the plate with an attempt at a shot, but the ball went into the stands after going way over the goal.
Finland makes a substitution. Pukki comes on and Kallman comes off to create more danger.
Malta also makes two substitutions. Nwoko and Tuma come on, replacing Paul Mbongo and Camenzuli, and they will look for an equalizer.
They come and go. The ball is fought over with great vigor, but neither team has managed to create danger in the opponent’s penalty area. Malta is gradually creating more dangerous plays, but their finishing in the back line isn’t the best.
Two changes have been made by Finland. Uronen and Pohjanpalo are replaced by Ollila and Hakans, both of whom will go all out to score more goals and prevent them from causing damage in Hradecky’s penalty area.
What a sight! Satariano falls inside the box after Tenho drags the player inside the area, but the referee doesn’t signal anything in this second half, even though they’re already looking for the goal.
Malta doesn’t give up, however, Ivanov manages to get the ball out again. Despite his attempts, they haven’t managed to score the second of the night, but they remain on top of the home goal, which can’t keep them out.
Finland wants the second, but the visiting team is constantly looking to score their second goal in the area guarded by Bonello, making this even more interesting, as the home side will go all out for a goal.
They keep avoiding it! A great run by the home side, the ball reaches Ivanov, the player makes a great save, and the home side’s shot ends up going wide of the box. What a great move, but the finish doesn’t quite make it in.
The ball is moving, and the second half is underway on this first matchday. Finland makes a substitution for the second half, with Matti Peltola coming off and Robin Lod coming on to continue creating danger up front and creating plays.
Halftime. The first half of the match ends, with Finland coming from behind to win. The visitors were already ahead, having kept trying, despite having several rather scandalous errors with the player in front of goal.
There’s still a bit of time! The referee decides to add one more to the already completed 45 minutes. It’s Malta who’s looking for the equalizer and not to get off to a bad start in these World Cup qualifiers.
Goal, goal, goal, goal for Finland! Finally, the first goal of the night was scored. Bonello again blocked a well-aimed shot, the ball drifting aimlessly into the box, and Antman stepped up to counterattack the ball and open the scoring.
It can’t be! Benjamin Källman attempted a header, rising inside the box, but the goalkeeper’s departure ended up bothering the striker, who couldn’t make a good impact with his shot.
Back and forth on the pitch, now it was the turn to shoot at goal, all commanded by Joseph Mbong, however the ball did not have the appropriate force and the ball did not enter and was rejected.
There’s a goalkeeper! Finland was close to opening the scoring. After a good cross, Pohjanpalo powerfully headed the ball in search of the first. Bonello dived well and managed to parry it away. The rebound then fell to Källman’s legs, but he ended up firing it over the goal.
Goalkeeper again! Malta continues to create the ball up front. The ball was very contested inside the box, with multiple attempts to both push it in and clear it, but a fortunate touch ultimately gave the ball to Kradecky.
Nothing’s coming! It’s Paul Mbong who hasn’t managed to get a real shot across the net, despite having plenty of chances. In his last move, the ball landed comfortably in Hradecky’s hands.
After the first 20 minutes of this match, neither team has generated very little on the pitch, both back and forth, but neither has managed to create any real danger in search of a first.
They don’t make it! It was Paul Mbong who was looking to break ahead and score the first goal of the match, but Ivanov managed to appear in the lower half and deflect the ball away from the goal.
Good job. It’s Satariano who manages to create danger in Finland’s penalty area, but the ball just won’t go in. No matter how hard Malta tries, the ball can’t be brought into the box.
What a sight! It was Hradecky who prevented the score from opening with a powerful shot at his own goal. Little by little, the Maltese team began to gain ground, creating danger in the visitors’ box, but the play didn’t go far enough.
It was a close call! Mbong controlled the ball with his chest. After a short dribble, he unleashed a powerful shot across the goal, but it went wide. What a great first play in this match.
Pel Tola was looking to create danger up front, but he hadn’t even crossed the midfield line when his opponents brought him down, leaving him without a clear opportunity to go for the shot that could give them the first goal.
The match is on. The ball is moving at Malta Stadium, with both teams fighting for possession early on to create dangerous plays in the opponent’s half. What a great match this is going to be in this first round of the qualifiers.
Both teams are already warming up before the start of the match. Exciting minutes are ahead with both teams fully in tune. They will look to leave everything on the pitch and give their all.
The Finnish team has already made an appearance at the stadium, looking to put on a great performance, maintain their dominance against the home team, and score goals to get this game off to a strong start.
The Maltese squad is already home, looking to put on a great performance, put together some good plays, and secure a win in their home debut in these qualifiers. The hosts will be looking to secure their first win by any means necessary.
There’s just under half an hour left until this match kicks off. A thrilling 90 minutes are ahead, with both teams looking to emerge victorious, so there’s bound to be plenty of fighting on the pitch.
Fans of both teams are already in the building, they will seek to leave all their support on the field of play and leave the match with great happiness, they hope that their respective team achieves this first victory that begins this tournament and the road to the World Cup.
Malta just completed a friendly this year. The match will be played on October 12th, against Bosnia-Herzegovina, a rather unusual game. What a great game it will be, It’s to prepare for the qualifying phase.
Malta and Finland are in Group G of these qualifiers. The group also includes Poland and Lithuania. Everyone will be looking to put on an excellent performance and earn as many points as possible.
These teams have met three times, but in all three encounters the score has gone in Finland’s favor, with the last game ending five goals to zero. Malta needs to improve an win one game versus this complicated rival.
Both teams will make their debut in these qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The tournament will take place in Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Both teams will be looking to get off to a good start and score three points.
We’re back for a minute-by-minute look at the match between Malta and Finland, which kicks off the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. We’ll be sharing the most important information, including the confirmed lineups for both teams, shortly.
Don’t forget to follow the match on VAVEL. We’ll soon be sharing the most important and relevant information about both teams, so you can stay tuned for this live broadcast. It will be a great match.
The Malta vs. Finland match can be watched in the United States on television via TUDN.
This match can be watched live and via streaming online through the ViX+ app.
You can also follow all the action from this match on VAVEL USA.
It’s 3:45 PM (USA) when these teams will face each other. However, here are the times for different countries:
Argentina: 1:45 PM
Bolivia: 2:45 PM
Brazil: 2:45 PM
Chile: 3:45 PM
Colombia: 2:45 PM
Ecuador: 3:45 PM
United States: 2:45 PM PT and 3:45 PM ET
Mexico: 1:45 PM
Paraguay: 3:45 PM
Peru: 2:45 PM
Uruguay: 4:45 PM
Venezuela: 3:45 PM
Japan: 4:45 AM
India: 1:45 AM
Nigeria: 8:45 PM
South Africa: 11:45 PM
Australia: 6:45 AM
UK ET: 8:45 PM
Coach Emilio De Leo spoke to the media before beginning his journey in these qualifiers: “The players have shown a great willingness to learn and work, which is very encouraging for a coach. However, adapting to a new system is never easy.”
“Every match is different, and we must approach it accordingly. We want to win, despite the difficulties we may face.”
“The respect within the squad is mutual, and all the new players have shown a positive attitude, sacrifice, and energy.”
“We must show courage and not fear our opponents. The change of coaching staff has brought new enthusiasm, and we respect Finland, but we remain focused on our team and our performance.”
“In the end, we will reflect on our progress and set even higher goals.” Hopefully we can demonstrate the work we have done during this short period.”
This could be the eleven with which the visit debuts in these qualifiers towards the World Cup.
Jesse Joronen; Nikolai Alho, Arttu Hoskonen, Robert Ivanov, Juhani Pikkarainen, Daniel Håkans; Robin Lod, Glen Kamara, Kaan Kairinen, Benjamin Källman; Joel Pohjanpalo.
At this start of the European qualifiers, this is how Malta could begin its path.
Henry Bonello; Kurt Shaw, Gabriel Mentz, Jean Borg; Joseph Mbong, Matthew Guillaumier, Teddy Teuma, Ryan Camenzuli; Trent Buhagiar, Paul Mbong, J. Degabriele.
Finland failed to score three points in their last official match. The match was played in 2024 and was the last of the UEFA Nations League. The score ended 2-0 in favor of Greece. What a great team
In this preview, we’ll bring you the most relevant news from this match, updates, and everything happening around this stadium, the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, which will host a great match. Ninety minutes of excitement are ahead.