Tough Night for Malta Women in Away Loss

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualification, GRP B2
AIL Arena Lugano, 06.05.2026

Switzerland...6
Malta...1
(HT 4-1)

1-0 Schertenleib 8, 1-1 Willis 21, 2-1 Piubel 23, 3-1 Xhemaili 38, 4-1 Csillag 40, 5-1 Reuteler 70, 6-1 Xhemaili 81.

The Maltese Women National team endured a difficult away match in Lugano to end their away commitments in the World Cup 2027 qualifying group succumbing to a 6-1 defeat. Malta were looking for a good performance against a very strong Switzerland who were obviously favorites in their home city of Lugano.

Switzerland started strongly as expected and after just two minutes, Sydney Schertenleib crossed to Ana Maria Crnogorcevic who did not manage to connect from just inside the box. Schertenleib came even closer on six minutes with an excellent low shot that was saved by Maya Cachia.

The Swiss took the lead on eight minutes witha superb goal by Schertenleib who lobbed the ball into the top corner from just outside the box.Presure continued relentlessly with a cross by Viola Calliagris just about cleared for a corner on 15 minutes.

Malta created their first chance with Kayley Willis who attempted a shot from outside the box that was easily saved by Livia Peng. However, on 21 minutes, Willis surpassed herself with a wonderful effort that sailed past Peng. However from the kickoff Switzerland retook the lead when Schertenleib squared to Seraina Piubel who craftily shot past Cachia into the bottom corner.

On 37 minutes Switzerland went further ahead when a free kick by Geraldine Reuteler found Riola Xhemaili who made no mistake. Two minutes later it was 4-1 when Aurelie Csillag who headed home from a corner.

Switzerland could have made it five on 53 minutes when they were awarded a penalty for a handball in the box. Up stepped Xhemaili but Maya Cachia produced a superb save to deny the Swiss playmaker. On the hour, a shot by Aurelie Csillag hit the side netting after a fast counter.

On 69 minutes, the Swiss made it five after Geraldine Reuteler intercepted a backpass and slotted past Cachia. Csillag could have made it six on 73 minutes but her angled shot cannonned against the post. Nine minutes from time it was 6-1 when Xhemaili managed to grab her brace after a shot by Sow Columba was parried by Cachia.

Switzerland
Livia Peng, Noelle Maritz, Geraldine Reuteler, Riola Xhemaili, Nadine Riesen, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic (Ella Toun 84), Sydney Schertenleib (Lia Kamber 46), Lia Walti (Columba Sow 67), Aurelie Csillag (Leila Wanderer 78), Seraiana Piubel (Smilla Vallotto 67), Viola Calligaris.
Coach: Rafel Navarro

Malta
Maya Cachia, Alexandra Gatt, Jane Barbara (Emma Flannery 46), Oceane Grange, Rachel Cuschieri, Kailey Willis, Maria Farrugia, Maya Lucia (Emma Xuereb 79), Shona Zammit, Nicole Sciberras (Tammy Falzon 78), Haley Bugeja (Jade Flask 65)
Coach: Manuela Tesse

Referee Kristina Georgieva (Bulgaria)

Yellow cards Grange, Falzon (M)

Attendance 7,526