MALTA…1
GERMANY…4
(HT 1-2)

9’ Basil Tuma (MLT), 11 Nicolo Tresoldi (GER), 32’ Tom Rothe (GER), 47’ Nicolo Tresoldi (GER), 69’ Nicolo Tresoldi (GER)

The Malta U21 National Team produced a tireless display against European heavyweights Germany at the Centenary Stadium on Wednesday evening, but ultimately suffered a 4-1 defeat.

Germany created the first opportunity of the match when Paris Brunner was found on the left. After cutting inside, he teed up Dženan Pejčinović, whose effort was well saved by Malta goalkeeper Liam Frendo.

Malta responded strongly and took a stunning lead in the ninth minute. Basil Tuma capitalised on an error in the German defence and raced through on goal before calmly slotting the ball past Max Weiß.

Germany reacted almost immediately, however, and equalised just two minutes later. Nicolo Tresoldi collected the ball inside the penalty area before curling an excellent effort against the post and into the net.

The visitors looked to take control of possession from that point onwards, but Malta remained disciplined and worked hard to deny Germany space behind the defence.

In the 31st minute, Francis Onyeka found room just outside the Maltese penalty area, but his left-footed effort was comfortably dealt with by Frendo.

Germany then completed the turnaround a minute later. Frendo produced another excellent save, but the rebound fell kindly to Tom Rothe, who made no mistake from close range to put the visitors 2-1 ahead.

Germany continued to apply pressure, but Davide Mazzotta’s side defended resolutely, closing down spaces and making life difficult for the visitors. Malta therefore went into the interval just one goal behind after a determined first-half performance.

Germany started the second half strongly and doubled their advantage only two minutes after the restart. Tresoldi connected with a corner and headed the ball into the net to make it 3-1.

In the 58th minute, Germany won possession in midfield before working the ball towards Pejčinović, whose header went narrowly wide of the post.

Tresoldi completed his hat-trick in the 69th minute with a stunning free-kick, firing a powerful effort beyond Frendo to make it 4-1.

Germany had another opportunity five minutes later when Brunner found space on the left, but Frendo came off his line quickly to close down the angle, with the German forward sending his effort wide.

Malta continued to battle and almost reduced the deficit in the 75th minute when Jake Micallef advanced from midfield before unleashing a powerful strike that flew narrowly over the crossbar.

The Maltese youngsters continued to work hard until the final whistle, but Germany controlled possession during the closing stages to secure a 4-1 victory.

Malta U21 will conclude their qualifying campaign with an away match against Latvia in Riga on 6 October, aiming to end their campaign with another energetic performance.

MALTA
12 Liam Frendo (GK), 2 Deacon Abela, 3 Kean Scicluna, 5 Sven Xerri, 14 Jake Grech (18 Kaiden Fenech, 67’), 15 Trezeguet Zammit (7 Shaisen Attard, 46’), 16 Jake Micallef (C), 17 Bjorn Buhagiar (6 Andrew Borg, 80’), 20 Alfie Bridgman (10 Brooklyn Borg, 46’), 21 Matteo Gambin (19 Benjamin Hili, 88’), 22 Basil Tuma
Coach: Davide Mazzotta

GERMANY
12 Max Weiß (GK), 6 Leandro Morgalla (7 Arijon Ibrahimovic, 72’), 9 Nicolo Tresoldi (C), 10 Mert Kömür (21 Wael Mohya, 64’), 11 Dženan Pejčinović (17 Noah Darvich, 64’), 13 Tom Rothe, 14 Karim Coulibaly, 15 Noakhai Banks (5 Joshua Quarshie, 77’), 16 Aljoscha Kemlein, 19 Paris Brunner, 20 Francis Onyeka (18 Laurin Ulrich, 46’)
Coach: Antonio Di Salvo

Referee: Ozan Ergün (TUR)

Yellow cards: Francis Onyeka (GER), Trezeguet Zammit (MLT), Tom Rothe (GER), Basil Tuma (MLT)