On 12 September, one of the Euro 2024 football matches took place. Malta and North Macedonia met.
Мальта - Сев.Македония - 0:2. Евро-2024. Обзор матча, статистикаEuro-2024
Malta - North Macedonia - 0:2 (0:2)
Goals: Eljif Elmas (5), J. Manev (41)
Warnings: Teuma (27), S. Bor (39)
Review of the match Malta - North Macedonia:
Malta faced FYR Macedonia in a European Championship qualifying match played at the Ta'Kali National Stadium. At half-time the score was 0-2 in favour of FYR Macedonia and despite both teams putting in their best in the second half, the final score remained unchanged at 0-2. The match started with a tense struggle between the rivals, and already in the 5th minute FYR Macedonia took the upper hand. The hero of the match was Elmas, who scored a goal for FYR Macedonia. The Maltese fought back trying to get back into the game, but their efforts were stifled by their opponents. Teuma received a yellow card in the 27th minute and Borg received a yellow card in the 39th minute. FYR Macedonia continued to dominate the game, and in the 41st minute their attacking abilities bore fruit once again. Manev scored, increasing his team's lead and putting them in a comfortable position before the break. Malta made three quick substitutions at the start of the second half in an attempt to turn the tide of the game. Christensen, Mbong and Jones were brought into the game to give the Maltese team a new lease of life and make tactical changes. Unfortunately, Malta's hopes of a return goal were thwarted by an organised defence and quick counter-attacks by FYR Macedonia. The Maltese players continued to push forward but their efforts were in vain.
In the 67th minute, Camenzuli received a yellow card, which further aggravated Malta's situation. In an attempt to turn the tide, Malta made another substitution in the 72nd minute, bringing on Nwoko in place of Mbonga. However, FYR Macedonia's defence remained relentless, giving Malta no chance. FYR Macedonia also made a substitution in the 79th minute, bringing on fresh new faces Atanasov and Zaikov. There were a lot of penalties in the match and the tension on the pitch increased in the 85th minute when Siskovski received a yellow card for playing with his hand for FYR Macedonia. The Maltese side also made a substitution during this period, with Dimoski replacing Ashkovski. In the closing stages of the game, nerves began to fray and in the 88th minute Musliu received a yellow card for FYR Macedonia. In a final attempt to save the match, Malta brought on Guillaumier in the 89th minute and Miovski replaced Ristovski in the 90th minute, but both teams failed to score and the final whistle blew with the score unchanged at 0-2 in favour of FYR Macedonia. Although FYR Macedonia emerged victorious from this qualifying match, both teams played a good game. Malta will surely analyse their shortcomings and regroup for the upcoming matches, while FYR Macedonia can be confident in their abilities and look to build on their success.
In the next round the following matches await the rivals: Italy - Malta, Ukraine - FYR Macedonia.
Statistics of the match Malta vs North Macedonia:
| Malta national team | North Macedonia national team | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Kicks in the box | 4 |
| 9 | Kicks | 8 |
| 3 | Blocked shots | 2 |
| 4 | Penalty kicks | 5 |
| 5 | Kicks from outside the penalty box | 3 |
| 14 | Offences | 12 |
| 3 | Corner | 2 |
| 2 | Offsides | 0 |
| 53% | Ball possession | 47% |
| 3 | Yellow cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red cards | 0 |
| 2 | Keeper saves | 2 |
| 499 | Total assists | 455 |
| 400 | Accurate assists | 364 |
| 80% | Accuracy of transmissions | 80% |
