Second-Half Goals Earn Malta Victory over Azerbaijan

International ‘A’ Friendly 
05.06.2026, Haladas Stadium, Szombathely, Hungary 
 
AZERBAIJAN…0 
MALTA…2 
(HT 0-0) 
 
0-1 J.Mbong 65, 0-2 Satariano 86. 
 
Malta signed off their 2025/26 campaign in style with a 2-0 victory over Azerbaijan in an international friendly played in Hungary, thanks to second half strikes from Joseph Mbong and Alex Satariano. 
 
Although Azerbaijan enjoyed the better of the scoring opportunities throughout much of the contest, Malta proved the more clinical side, capitalising on their chances to secure a confidence-boosting win. 
 
Head coach Emilio De Leo made four changes to the starting line-up that faced Slovakia earlier in the week. Goalkeeper Rashed Al-Tumi and midfielder Andrea Zammit were both handed their first international starts after previously making three substitute appearances each. Enrico Pepe returned to central defence in place of Kean Scicluna, while Aleandro Garzia earned his first start at right-back in only his second appearance for the national team. Captain Matthew Guillaumier, making his 55th international appearance, was the most experienced player in the starting XI. 
 
Azerbaijan threatened early, forcing Al-Tumi into action after just five minutes when he reacted sharply to deny Khayal Aliyev. The Malta goalkeeper was called upon again on 18 minutes, comfortably dealing with a curling effort from Elvin Cafarguliyev. At the other end, Keyon Ewurum saw a long-range attempt blocked before Ilyas Chouaref tested goalkeeper Emil Balayev with a 20-metre strike that was gathered comfortably. 
 
The Azeris came close to opening the scoring midway through the first half. Mahir Emreli, found at the far post by substitute Nariman Akhundzade, dragged his first-time effort wide of the target. Eight minutes later, Al-Tumi produced an outstanding save to tip Toral Bayramov’s powerful drive behind for a corner. Malta’s goalkeeper continued to impress in first-half stoppage time, denying Bayramov once more after a swift Azerbaijani counter-attack before the defence cleared the danger. Malta responded immediately, with Ewurum breaking down the left flank, although his dangerous cross was intercepted by Balayev. 
 
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Azerbaijan applying pressure. Emreli almost caught Al-Tumi out with a fierce cross-shot shortly after the restart, while Abdulakh Khaybulayev forced another fine save on 56 minutes as the Malta custodian pushed his low effort around the post.  
 
But it was Malta who struck on 65 minutes. Chouaref broke clear on the right and delivered a low cross into the area. Mbong’s initial effort was blocked, but the Hamrun Spartans forward reacted quickest to fire home the rebound from close range and put Malta ahead. Moments later, Gabriel Mentz nearly doubled the advantage after winning possession high up the pitch, only to see his effort flash narrowly wide. 
 
Azerbaijan increased the pressure in search of an equaliser. Renat Dadasov’s free-kick was deflected behind for a corner, while Vusal Isgandarli squandered a golden opportunity from point-blank range, shooting wide with only Al-Tumi to beat. Further chances followed as Mentz bravely blocked another effort from Dadasov before Isa Isaev rattled the crossbar with a thunderous strike from just outside the area. 
 
However, with four minutes regular time left, it was Malta who doubled to seal the victory. Satariano combined neatly with Mbong before receiving the return pass and unleashing a powerful left-footed finish beyond the reach of Balayev to make it 2-0. 
 
Al-Tumi capped an excellent individual performance with another outstanding save in stoppage time to deny Isgandarli. The goalkeeper made way for 19-year-old James Sissons, the Chesterfield youngster making his senior international debut in the closing moments. 
 
The final whistle confirmed a morale-boosting victory for Malta, who ended the season on a high note with a disciplined and clinical display against a side that had created plenty of opportunities but failed to find a way past an inspired Al-Tumi. 

 
Azerbaijan 
Emil Balayev, Elvi Badalov, Badavi Guseynov (Aykhan Guseynov 84), Anton Kryvotsyuk, Qismat Aliyev (Tellur Mutallimov 70), Elvin Cafarguliyev, Emil Safarov (Abdulakh Khaybulayev 46), Aleksey Isayev, Toral Bayramov (Rustam Akhmedzade 70), Khayal Aliyev (Nariman Akhundzade 8, Vusal Isgandarli 70), Mahir Emreli (Renat Dadasov 70) 
Coach: Aykhan Abbasov 
 
Malta 
Rashed Al-Tumi (James Sissons 90+4), Aleandro Garzia (Zach Muscat 46), Kurt Shaw, Enrico Pepe (Gabriel Mentz 62), Juan Corbalan (Myles Beerman 46), Matthew Guillaumier (Brandon Paiber 62), Teddy Teuma (Paul Mbong 62), Alex Satariano (Jake Azzopardi 90+4), Ilyas Chouaref (Carlo Zammit-Lonardelli 84), Keyon Ewurum (Kevin Cannavo’ 62), Andrea Zammit (Joseph Mbong 46). 
Coach: Emilio De Leo 
 
Referee Mihaly Kapraly (Hungary) 
 
Yellow cards Badalov (A); Ewurum (M) 
 
Attendance 150