Goal! Haley Bugeja's hat-trick powers Malta to victory in UEFA Women's Nations League
Haley Bugeja's sensational hat-trick ignited Malta's fourth consecutive triumph in their UEFA Women's Nations League journey, maintaining their impeccable winning streak.
The match against Andorra showcased the Maltese team's prowess as they outplayed their opponents, replicating the same dominance that had earned them a five-goal victory in their previous encounter at the Centenary Stadium.
Andorra, like in their previous encounter at the Centenary Stadium, adopted a defensive approach, aiming to thwart Malta's advances. Initially, their tactics held strong, with Malta struggling to create clear-cut opportunities.
However, Haley Bugeja's remarkable performance in the first half, scoring three goals in just seven minutes, left Andorra reeling. Her combination of skill and speed proved too much for Andorra to handle, as she netted her goals with precision.
Haley Bugeja, currently shining in Serie A with Inter, stole the spotlight once again, scoring her second hat-trick at a competitive level and solidifying her position as the top scorer in the competition with an impressive total of eight goals.
Her remarkable scoring history extends to a 2020 European qualifier against Georgia, where she became the youngest scorer in any women's European qualifying game—a record she still holds. Furthermore, Haley’s manoeuvre puts her just two goals away from surpassing Ylenia Carabott, the second-best women's team scorer with 18 goals to her name.
With this resounding victory over Andorra, Malta has opened up a significant five-point lead at the summit of their group, thanks in part to Latvia's surprising 3-3 draw with bottom-placed Moldova on the same day.
The Maltese team is now on the cusp of League B promotion, and their upcoming matches against Moldova and Latvia in November's international window will be closely watched as they pursue this coveted goal.
This match also marked a milestone for Alishia Sultana, who earned her 50th cap for the Malta women's national team.
Go team Malta!