Malta vs Switzerland: Swiss Women’s National Team secures another must-win in World Cup qualifying
What a commanding performance! The Swiss women's national team has aced their required task in World Cup qualifying. Against a gutsy but ultimately outmatched Maltese side, Coach Inka Grings' team cruised to a comfortable win, once again underlining their ambitions for the big tournament. For those who missed the action, our Malta – Switzerland match review has all the key moments and goals covered.
A dream start – The Nati overpowers Malta early
The match in Malta kicked off exactly how Swiss fans had hoped: with a bang. The visitors took control from the opening stages, making the ball and their opponents do the work. The islanders could barely get out of their own half, while the Swiss, with precise passing and high tempo, carved out chance after chance. It was impressive to see how naturally the team created scoring opportunities. The deserved opening goal came from a corner – a delivery perfectly finished at the far post. The joy on the players' faces was clear, but they knew it was just the beginning.
The second goal wasn't long in coming. A slick move down the right flank ended with a pinpoint shot into the far corner. The Maltese players were visibly overwhelmed by the power and class of the Swiss side. The game was as good as wrapped up by halftime. The Swiss had everything under control, delivering a mature performance that left you wanting more. During the break, the coach could stay calm, offering just a few tactical tweaks for the second half.
Highlights and key moments: How the match unfolded
For those after a detailed wrap-up, here are the decisive points of the game in quick succession – think of it as a compact Malta – Switzerland guide through the 90 minutes:
- Early lead: In the 15th minute, captain Lia Wälti slotted home from a set piece to make it 1-0 – her first international goal in over two years.
- Teamwork makes the dream work: The second goal came from a beautiful passing move involving several players, finished off by Ramona Bachmann (28').
- Post-break efficiency: Straight after the restart, Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic headed in (52') to make it 3-0 – the game-winner.
- Final touch: A solo effort from Coumba Sow in the final quarter of an hour (78') sealed the well-deserved 4-0 result.
The team cohesion was particularly striking. Every player knew her job perfectly. Inka Grings' system is clicking more and more. And seeing how seamlessly the second-string players fit in after being subbed on gives plenty of reason for optimism about the future. That's how you imagine a successful night in World Cup qualifying.
What we take from the game – and what's next
This win against Malta was important not just for the standings, but for the team's development. They got to try things out and build confidence. But how do we rate this success? Our little how-to-use Malta – Switzerland analysis shows: The Nati proved they can stay patient against deep-lying defences and impose their style of play. That's a big step forward.
With these three points, Switzerland stays in touch with the top of the qualifying group. The next challenges are just around the corner: matches against direct rivals, where points will be even harder to come by. But if the team builds on this performance, the chances are good we'll be celebrating another win soon. The stadium in Malta was bathed in a sea of Swiss red and white for the evening – and the fans who made the trip were rewarded with a strong showing. Now it's all about recovery and staying focused, because the next step towards the World Cup is already waiting.