Sweden - Malta               3-0

Sweden: R. Olsen, M. Lustig, F. Helander, L. Augustinsson, A. Ekdal (S. Larsson 77'), M. Berg (A. Isak 68'), E. Forsberg, V. Claesson, P. Jansson, K. Olsson, R. Quaison (J. Guidetti 84')

Malta: H. Bonello, Z. Muscat, S. Borg (F. Apap 80'), A. Agius, J. Mbong, J. Corbolan, R. Muscat, L. Gambin, J. Grech (P. Fenech 64'), A. Effiong, L. Montebello (K. Nwoko 70').

Referee: Rob Harvey (Ireland)

Ass. Referees: Wayne McDonnell, Mark Gavin (Ireland)

Fourth Official: Paul Mclaughlin (Ireland)

Scorers: R. Quaison 2', V. Claesson 50', A. Isak 81'

Yellow cards: L. Montebello,

Attendance: 26,421

Sweden grabbed the needed victory against Malta thanks to an early goal and an impressive second half display. The victory was a deserved one, but the Maltese performance was a positive one especially in the first half.

But in the end the Swedes dominated and although the Maltese gave their all, the Scandinavians showed that they are vastly a superior outfit.

The match could not have had a worse start for the Maltese who were down in the second minute. However the boys in red were not demoralised and played a very good first half trying to be positive in their approach.

Mbong had an amazing first half, and Bonello, surely one of the best players on the field made some great saves to keep the Maltese in the match. Near the end of the first half Malta had a great chance to obtain the equaliser but Effiong's header was saved.

In the second half Sweden went in top gear and the Maltese suffered terribly, defending for long stretches and saved by an impressive display by goalkeeper Bonello. The defeat could have taken larger proportions had it not been for his saves.

Coach Ray Farrugia kept faith to his words, starting with a rather offensive line up, with two physically strong strikers like Alfred Effiong and Luke Montebello supported by Jake Grech and midfielders Rowen Muscat and Luke Gambin.

At the back a three to five defensive set-up with Agius, Steve Borg and Zach Muscat at the heart of the defence with Mbong and Corbolan giving a hand on the flanks. Valletta goalkeeper Henry Bonello was confirmed in goal, with defender Andrei Agius wearing the captain's arm-band from the start for the very first time in his career.

Karl-Erik Nilsson UEFA Vice-President made a short address before the match, followed by a minute's silence in memory of Sweden's great and former UEFA President Lennart Johansson who passed away a couple of days ago.

Barely two minutes play and Sweden took the lead when Olsson's cross from the right was met by Berg, whose header was brilliantly saved by Bonello, but Robin Quaison was on hand to hammer the ball home from close range.

This was surely not what was needed for the Maltese, who kept their composure as they tried to calm down the game and keep possession of the ball. On ten minutes Effiong won a freekick outside the area but Andrei Agius' shot went well over the bar.

On 15 minutes Bonello was on the alert deflecting a dangerous Forsberg freekick. Two minutes later Augistinsson blasted over the bar from an ideal position. Sweden were now piling the pressure and Bonello made a great save on 25 minutes diving to block a point blank grounder from Berg.

Bonello again came to Malta's rescue on 35 minutes making another great save off a Forsberg freekick. Just before the break Malta had a great chance of obtaining the equaliser when from a quickly taken freekick by Andrei Agius, bong crossed towards Alfred Effiong who came from the blind side and his header was somehow blocked by the Swedish goalkeeper.

Farrugia kept the same eleven for the second half and the Swedes went all out for another early goal. This came on 50 minutes and it was a great goal. Berg had a great control before serving Claesson with a back heel, and Claesson made no mistake lobbing over Henry Bonello.

This goal surely upset the Maltese who were now in great difficulty. The Swedes sensing blood ripped the Maltese defence apart and Bonello made some daring saves to keep the vessel floating.

On 64 minutes made the first change, giving more support to a struggling midfield introducing Paul Fenech for Jake Grech. Three minutes later Bonello again made a great save denying Berg yet again.

Nwoko came in for Montebello twenty minutes from time as the Maltese managed somehow to smother the Scandinavian fury. On 73 minutes Paul Fenech fired a missile that just missed the crossbar.

Nine minutes from time Sweden increased their lead when Forsberg and Claesson danced with the Malta defenders, Bonello made some incredible save but had to surrender in the end as substitute Isak slotted home from close range.

The dying minutes were a night mare for the Maltese who went close to suffer a fourth goal on many occasions.