Malta                       0
Belgium                   4

Malta: J. Galea, J. Borg, K. Zammit, K. Micallef, D. Vella, M. Guillaumier (Z. Scerri 59'), J. Grech, K. Nwoko, J. Degabriele, M. Beerman (D. Agius 86'), K. Shaw (M. Sansone 74').

Belgium: N. Jackers, D. Cools, Z. Vanheusden, W. Faes, S. Bastien (A. De Sart 63'), I. Mbenza, N. Dimata (A. leya Iseka 63 min), S. Schrijvers, D. Lukebakio (A. Saelemaekers 80'), C. De Norre, J. Vanlerberghe.

Referee: Roomer Tarajev (Estonia)

Ass.referees: Neeme Neemlaid, Egerd Pajustik (Estonia)

Fourth official: Marko Liiva (Estonia)

Scorers: N. Dimata 11', S. Schrijvers 18', D. Lukebakio 58', A. Leya Iseka 69',

Yellow cards: J. Degabriele.

Attendance: 205

Malta suffered its eighth consecutive defeat in Group 6 yesterday going down to a polished Belgian side who completely dominated the match from start to finish. The Maltese had a good start but enthusiasm quickly fizzled out as Belgium seemed coming from another planet.

They were too fast on and off the ball and the Maltese made matters worse with some slipshod defending, and some of the goals could have easily been avoided. Goalkeeper Galea effected some very good saves to keep the score to decent levels.

Malta made a promising start with some good moves on the right flank, but the Belgians almost took the lead on five minutes when Mbenza crossed towards the completely unmarked Lukebakio whose point blank effort was blocked by Galea.

Sixty seconds later Mbenza again floated a precise cross towards Dimata, but Galea again made a great save to block his header. Galea was again called in action to save Lukembakio's shot on the turn from the edge of the area.

On eleven minutes the Belgians broke the deadlock when from a Lukembakio corner, Nany Dimata headed home. Belgium continued to dictate and Galea made another great save off a Vanlerberghe shot from a distance. But from the resultant corner, the Maltese defenders failed to clear and somehow Siebe Schrijvers squeezed the ball home.

The Belgians could have added further goals with Bastien and Faes missing glorious chances in front of goal as the Maltese were at sixes and sevens on set pieces.

The second half was played at a slower pace with the Belgians apparently satisfied with the result. This gave the Maltese some breathing space, with the locals venturing more forward. However the Maltese failed to impress up front and the Belgians scored again on 58 minutes.

It was a gift goal by the Maltese defence with Kurt Shaw hesitating and failing to clear the ball and Dodi Lukebakio pounced on the ball and made no mistake in front of Galea. Malta had its first attempt at goal half way through the second half with a Jake Grech freekick going over the bar.

On 69 minutes Belgium made it four with Schrijvers pass splitting the Maltese rearguard and with substitute Aaron Leya Iseka having the better of Galea to put at the back of the net.

Ten minutes from time Isaac Mbenza was unlucky not to score the best goal of the bunch but his stunning first timer hit the crossbar. Malta came close to a consolation goal minutes later with the Belgian goalkeeper denying Nwoko and Dunstan Vella with two daring sorties.

Two minutes from time Dunstan Vella came very close beating a couple of defenders, but he then tried to dribble past the goalkeeper instead of attempting a shot at goal.