Malta’s victory over Andorra on Sunday not only extended the national team’s unbeaten record against the principality, but also saw the Maltese side make history by moving to the top of a competitive qualification group for the first time.

The 2-1 victory in Ta’ Qali also means Malta remain unbeaten in the current campaign, while a positive result away to Gibraltar in November would secure a play-off place for qualification for EURO 2028.

When the two friendly victories over Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein are also taken into consideration, Sunday’s success represented Malta’s fifth consecutive positive result.

Another positive result against Gibraltar in November would see Malta record six consecutive matches without defeat – a feat achieved only twice previously in the history of the national team.

The first occasion came between 2001 and 2002, when Malta went on a six-match unbeaten run consisting of the following fixtures:

• 14 November 2001: Malta 2-1 Canada – Friendly
• 9 February 2002: Malta 2-1 Jordan – Friendly
• 11 February 2002: Malta 1-1 Lithuania – Friendly
• 13 February 2002: Malta 3-0 Moldova – Friendly tournament
• 27 March 2002: Malta 1-1 Andorra – Friendly
• 17 April 2002: Malta 1-0 Azerbaijan – Friendly

The second time Malta achieved six consecutive positive results was in 2020, during a memorable period which included UEFA Nations League fixtures and a friendly against Liechtenstein:

• 6 September 2020: Malta 1-1 Latvia – UEFA Nations League
• 7 October 2020: Malta 2-0 Gibraltar – Friendly
• 10 October 2020: Malta 0-0 Andorra – UEFA Nations League
• 13 October 2020: Latvia 0-1 Malta – UEFA Nations League
• 11 November 2020: Malta 3-0 Liechtenstein – Friendly
• 14 November 2020: Malta 3-1 Andorra – UEFA Nations League

With Malta currently enjoying an impressive run of results, the November clash against Gibraltar could therefore have even greater significance.

A result would not only strengthen Malta’s position in the group and keep the EURO 2028 dream alive, but would also see the national team match a record achieved just twice before in its history six consecutive positive results.