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Tuesday, April 21, 2026

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Northern Ireland hit four again

Malta 2 (Farrugia 41, Ayres 80)

Northern Ireland 4 (Mason 40,51, Johnson 68, McFarland 71)   

at the MFA Centenary Stadium

Northern Ireland produced another clinical display of attacking firepower as they defeated Malta 4-2 in their second FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 qualifier in four days.

Defender Ellie Mason scored twice – her first goals for her country – while Natalie Johnson and Leyla McFarland also netted their first senior international goals to secure a convincing victory at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’Qali. The result completed a comfortable double header success over Malta in League B Group 2 of the European qualifiers for the 2027 tournament in Brazil.

Michael McArdle made just one change to the side that won 4-0 in Lurgan on Tuesday night, with Leyla McFarland replacing Danielle Maxwell in attack for his second game in charge. Malta made three alterations from the first meeting, with Raisa Costantino replacing Giulia D’Antuono in goal, while Alexandra Gatt and Kailey Willis also came into the starting line-up.

The players faced markedly different conditions in Malta, with the match played on an artificial pitch under temperatures reaching 21°C, in contrast to the cold and damp evening at Mourneview Park a few days ealier.

Northern Ireland started brightly, with Rebecca Holloway going close early on before Ellie Mason fired an effort off target. Clear cut chances were limited in the opening half hour as both defences stood firm but Megan Bell spurned a good opportunity around the half hour mark when she burst into the penalty area following a slick pass from Holloway, only to drag her shot wide of the post.

The deadlock was broken on 40 minutes when Bell’s pinpoint corner was met by a powerful header from Mason, who directed the ball into the net to give Northern Ireland a deserved lead.

Malta equalised almost immediately, Jackie Burns saved a shot from Haley Bugeja, but from the resulting corner, Gatt’s delivery was volleyed home by Maria Farrugia.

Mason went close again just before half time, while Burns made another save to deny Bugeja. Northern Ireland restored their advantage six minutes into the second half as Mason pounced on a loose clearance just outside the box and drilled a low shot into the bottom corner for her second goal of the night.

Substitute Danielle Maxwell fired wide, as did Farrugia at the other end. The visitors extended their lead further in the 69th minute when Maxwell’s corner was turned home by Natalie Johnson to make it 3-1.

A minute later, Rebecca Holloway was shown a second yellow card and sent off, reducing Northern Ireland to ten players. Undeterred by the setback, McArdle’s side responded in style and on 72 minutes, a long ball forward found McFarland, who held off her marker before firing a clinical finish into the far corner for her first senior international goal.

Mason had another opportunity shortly afterwards, while substitute Casey Howe was denied by Costantino. Malta pulled a goal back through substitute Leah Ayres with a tidy finish, but Northern Ireland held firm. Burns produced one final save to deny Bugeja as the hosts pushed forward, but the result was never seriously in doubt.

The victory moves Northern Ireland to within one point of Turkey in League B Group 2. Turkey drew with table-toppers Switzerland earlier in the day to reach seven points, while the Swiss now have 10 points from four matches. Northern Ireland will conclude their qualifying campaign in June with an away fixture against Turkey followed by a home match against Switzerland.

Malta: Raisa Costantino, Alexandra Gatt, Shona Zammit, Emma Lipman, Oceane Grange (sub Tammy Falzon 77mins), Nicole Sciberras (sub Leah Ayres 77mins), Brenda Borg, Rachel Cuschieri, Kailey Willis (sub Crista Chetcuti-Ganado 82mins), Haley Bugeja, Maria Farrugia. Subs not used: Giulia D’Antuono, Maya Cachia, Veronique Mifsud, Jade Flask, Maya Lucia, Jana Barbara, Yulya Carella, Emma Xuereb, Maia Debono.  

Northern Ireland: Jackie Burns, Rebecca McKenna, Ellie Mason, Natalie Johnson, Rebecca Holloway, Brenna McPartlan, Joely Andrews (sub Laura Rafferty 75mins), Megan Bell (sub Aimee Kerr 90mins), Leyla McFarland (sub Caragh Hamilton 74mins), Keri Halliday (sub Danielle Maxwell 61mins), Lauren Wade (sub Casey Howe 74mins). Subs not used: Lauren Perry, Abbie Smith, Abi Sweetlove, Nadene Caldwell, Louise McDaniel, Cora Chambers, Kelsie Burrows.