Mġarr United made history on their European debut by defeating Flora 4-0 in the UEFA Women’s Champions League qualifying round, securing a place in Saturday’s qualifying final.

The Maltese champions will now face hosts Spartak Myjava of Slovakia in the final. The Slovak side eliminated Swieqi United at the same stage of the competition last year.

The match marked Mġarr’s first-ever appearance in European competition following a memorable 2025/26 campaign in which they completed a domestic treble, winning the Assikura Women’s League, the Assikura Women’s Knockout and the MFA Jubilee Cup.

With this victory, Mġarr United became only the third Maltese side to win a match in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, following Birkirkara and Swieqi United.

Strong Mġarr performance

Head coach Ryan Vella retained the core of last season’s title-winning squad, while new signing Carlyn Presley made her debut on the left wing in Mġarr’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Giulia D’Antuono started in goal, with captain Abigail Camilleri leading the defence alongside Yanina Mendez, Leanne Cefai and Alejandra Villegas. Full-back Rebecca Bajada was unavailable through injury.

Amber Grech partnered Maia Debono in midfield, while Presley, Veronique Mifsud, Yulya Carella and Valeria Villegas formed the attacking quartet.

The first half ended goalless despite Mġarr producing the stronger display. The Greens created several promising opportunities and outshot Flora 6-3, but were unable to convert their dominance into a breakthrough.

Presley inspires second-half rout

Mġarr emerged from the interval with greater intensity and finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. Valeria Villegas provided the assist for Presley, who calmly fired a low effort into the bottom corner.

Presley doubled Mġarr’s advantage eight minutes later, capitalising on a defensive error to score her second goal of the afternoon.

The Maltese champions continued to press forward and were rewarded again in the 70th minute when Flora’s Tullus turned the ball into her own net, giving Mġarr a commanding 3-0 lead.

Presley completed a dream debut in the 90th minute, scoring her third goal of the match to seal a remarkable 4-0 victory and book Mġarr United’s place in the qualifying final.

The result represents one of the most significant achievements in Maltese women’s football, as Mġarr United continue their historic European journey with a chance to progress even further in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.