Encamp Stadium, Andorra — Malta kicked off their 2026–27 UEFA Nations League campaign on a high note, coming from behind to secure a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Andorra on Thursday evening.
Goals from Irvin Cardona and Teddy Teuma completed the turnaround for Emilio De Leo’s side after an early shock from the hosts.
Match Breakdown
- Early Setback (17′): Despite Malta controlling the initial possession, Andorra struck first. Aron Rodrigo’s shot following a low cross from Moisés San Nicolás was blocked by Henry Bonello, but Guillaume Lópezpounced on the rebound to fire the hosts ahead.
- Cardona’s Equalizer (36′): Malta responded before the break. Teddy Teuma delivered a precise pass to Irvin Cardona, who controlled beautifully before beating Iker Álvarez with a crisp volley to make it 1-1.
- Teuma Seals the Comeback (80′): With ten minutes remaining in regulation, Cardona broke into the box and set up Teddy Teuma, who calmly slotted the ball past Álvarez to give Malta the lead.
- Late Drama (84′): Malta had a chance to put the game to bed when Ilyas Chouaref was brought down inside the penalty area. However, the forward sent his spot-kick over the crossbar, keeping the final minutes tense until the final whistle.
Match Key Statistics
| Statistic | Andorra 🇦🇩 | Malta 🇲🇹 |
| Final Score | 1 | 2 |
| Possession | 41% | 59% |
| Shots (On Target) | 11 (4) | 14 (9) |
| Fouls | 24 | 12 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 | 2 |
Key Takeaways
- Teddy Teuma Star Performance: The midfielder was at the heart of Malta’s attack, providing a sublime assist for Cardona and scoring the decisive winner.
- Resilience Under Pressure: Malta showed composure to recover from a goal down away from home, establishing early momentum in Group D1.
