Malta Battle Hard as Switzerland Take Victory in European Qualifier

2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup – European Qualifying - Group B2
Centenary Stadium, 07.03.2026

MALTA...1
SWITZERLAND...4
(HT 1-3)

7' Iman Beney (SUI), 9' Alisha Lehmann (SUI), 19' Maria Farrugia (MLT), 38' Svenja Folmi, 73' Aurelie Csillag (SUI)

The Malta Women's National Team suffered their second defeat in the FIFA Women’s World Cup League Phase Group B2 match when they went down 4-1 against Switzerland at the Centenary Stadium.

In the first home fixture of the year, Malta’s Women National team were looking to bounce back from their midweek loss away to Türkiye. Switzerland were however a tougher nut to crack having already performed credibly in last year’s Euros where they were also a joint host nation.

As expected, Switzerland started strongly and had their first chance after five minutes when a through pass by Svenja Folmli to Alisha Lehmann whose shot was saved by Giulia D’Antuono. Two minutes later, the Swiss took the lead with a fine low shot by Iman Beney which settled into the bottom corner.

It was 2-0 just two minutes later with Lehmann easily beating D’Antuono from a one-on-one situation. On 15 minutes, a low cross by Geraldine Reuteler was cleared by the Maltese defence as the pressure continued.

However, Malta came right back in the game with a superb effort by Maria Farrugia who managed to swerve the ball from an acute angle past Livia Peng, halving the deficit for the hosts. Switzerland replied almost immediately with a shot by Leila Wandeler that went just over the bar. On 26 minutes a header by Riesen was brilliantly blocked by D’Antouno.

Switzerland continued creating chances and on 28 minutes a free-kick by Beney was brilliantly saved by D’Antuono who was keeping Malta in the game. Malta had a fine opportunity on the half hour when Haley Bugeja squared to Maria Frrugia who saw her effort deflected for a corner. Farrugia was unmarked in the penalty area but could not convert her effort as Malta continued to create good opportunities.

However, Switzerland re-established a two-goal advantage on 38 minutes when Svenja Folmli made no mistake after an excellent through pass.

The second half started on much the same lines with Switzerland on the offensive. On 53 minutes a low shot by Aurelie’ Csillag was well saved by D’Antuono. The fourth goal came on 73 minutes through a fine solo run by Aurelie Csillag who fired an angled shot past D’Antuono.

The match ended 4-1 to the visitors, despite a combative and energetic display from Tesse's side, who went head-to-head against one of Europe's top sides.

Malta
Giulia d’Antuono, Emma Sophia Flannery (Shona Zammit 58’), Emma Lipman, Stefania Farrugia, Lexine Farrugia, Maria Farrugia, Jade Flask, Maya Lucia (Yulya Carrella 70’), Brenda Borg, Haley Bugeja, Leah Ayres (Kailey Willis 78’).
Coach: Manuela Tesse

Switzerland
Livia Peng, Noelle Maritz, Geraldine Reuteler, Nadine Riesen, Sydney Schertenleib (Seraina Piubel 75’), Lia Walti, Leila Wandeler (Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic 62’), Svenja Folmli (Aurelie Csillag 46’), Viola Calligaris, Iman Beney (Lila Egli 84’), Alisha Lehmann (Riola Xhemaii 62’).
Coach: Rafel Navarro

Referee: Jelena Medjedovic (SRB)