Finland Stunned by Defeat to Malta

The Finland national football team, holding onto their last hopes to advance to the World Cup qualifying play-off stage, faced Malta at home. This match was Finland's final official game of the year.

In the opening moments of the match, the Finnish side started attacking aggressively. Following a defensive error, the ball hit the post, and Joel Pohjanpalo attempted a backheel shot into the net, but another defender managed to clear the danger.

Later, Pohjanpalo received a pass from the left side of the penalty area and struck the ball while falling, but the goalkeeper saved his shot. Oliver Antman fired a powerful strike from the edge of the box toward the top corner, but the goalkeeper heroically saved it once again.

In the second half, Leo Valta controlled the ball inside the penalty area and aimed a shot toward the far corner, but the Malta goalkeeper kept his net intact. Antman entered the penalty area and attempted a low shot, but this time, the goalkeeper cleared the danger with his feet.

Robin Lod fired a shot toward the far corner from the right flank, but a defender blocked the ball from entering the net. In the 82nd minute, Malta launched their first dangerous attack.

Ilijas Shuarəff broke into the penalty area from the left wing and passed to Jake Grech. Grech struck the ball from 14 meters into the near corner, opening the score — 0:1.

After this defeat, Finland finished third in their qualifying group, while Malta overtook Lithuania to claim the fourth position. The Malta national team collected a total of 5 points and scored two goals during the qualifying stage.

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