Malta put up a very positive performance in their debut Group B match against host country and favourites Spain in Almeria yesterday night. Only two goals, scored in the final quarter hour, gave Spain a win, denying Malta at least a deserved draw.

Although inferior to their opponents in technique, Malta made up with a collective whole hearted effort that nearly pulled the first surprise of the Mediterranean Games.

Some solid defending from Malta, with a 4-5-1 formation, kept the Spanish mostly at bay for the first half, limiting the danger to only two shots on target during the first half hour.

Spain looked short of inventive as Malta’s hard working backline looked well organised. Malta keeper Hogg was only called to fist out a dangerous free-kick from the left and then superbly turned into a corner a dangerouslu deflected Spanish shot.

To Malta fell the half’s best scoring opportunity towards half-time when Ryan Fenech ran in onside for Gauci’s cross, only to see his shot thump against the foot of the post before the Spanish keeper could cover himself.

A couple of substitutions and change in tactics enabled Spain to increase the pressure in the second half but they always found it difficult to break down plucky Malta.

Still Malta went close with a Ryan Fenech effort with the score still 0-0.

On 76 minutes Blanco Gonzales headed in a long cross, beating Hogg and ten minutes from time, Spain wore down the Maltese when Javier De Lucas beat the defence to shoot Spain two ahead.

Malta ended in ten men when Andrej Agius was sent off after a foul with a panish opponent.

However the Maltese side deserves credit for a gallant performance.

Lineup: A. Hogg, A. Muscat, J. Mifsud, . Camenzuli, A. Agius, C Failla, P. Fenech, M. Gauci (A. Scerri),. Falzon, M. Bartolo (J. Sammut Vasquez),R. Fenech