Malta obtained a rare draw in a competitive match, earning a 1-1 draw against Lithuania at Ta’ Qali stadium. It is the only point Malta gained in the competition so far.
It was the last home game under Italian coach Pietro Ghedin, whose five-year tenure at the helm of the national side finishes on Sunday with the away game in Slovakia, which is also the last qualifying game for Malta in the run-up to Russia 2018.
Malta took the lead in the 23rd minute. Andre Agius picked up the ball just beyond the halfway circle, advanced for a few metres before unleashing a low, solid shot which surprised the Lithuanian keeper, who could only push the ball against the post before it trickled into the net.
Photos Domenic Aquilina
Lithuania almost immediately equalised, with Matulevicus stretching his left foot to hit the ball against the post, with Malta keeper Andrew Hogg picking it up before it crossed the line.
Malta lost captain Andre Schembri at half-time. Schembri injured his head late in the first half and was kept on the bench after the interval, his head bandaged.
Lithuania equalised early in the second half, as Slivka made his way across the perimeter of the penalty area before kicking the ball past a helpless Hogg for the equaliser.
Lituania kept up the momentum and for several minutes kept the Maltese side in its own half. As time went by the Maltese lads ventured in attack again and came close with a Failla freekick and an Agius header which were saved by keeper Zubas.