Malta vs Ukraine

Ukraine’s pursuit of Euro 2024 qualification continues at the Ta’Qali National Stadium against continental minnows Malta.

Malta’s wait for a first-ever appearance at a major international tournament goes on after a dreadful run of six defeats to start the Euro 2024 qualifying Group C cycle left them nailed to the bottom of the section without a glimmer of hope going into the group-stage finale. Michele Marcolini’s side slumped to a 4-0 defeat in Italy last weekend, taking their disastrous goal difference in the ongoing qualifying campaign to -14 (GF:1, GA:15). Malta’s troubled qualifying campaign has extended their humiliating run in Euro qualifiers to 15 consecutive defeats, two-thirds of which yielded multi-goal margins. But they’ll hope for a less disappointing outcome here following an honorable 1-0 loss in the reverse H2H in June.

In the meantime, there’s no room for error for qualification hopefuls Ukraine after a morale-boosting 2-0 ‘home’ win over North Macedonia last time out kept them in contention for a top-two finish. Serhiy Rebrov’s men snapped a two-game winless streak in Group C (D1, L1) but are still in a precarious position, trailing runners-up Italy by three points despite playing one game more. With their hopes of reaching the Euro finals for the fourth time on the trot hanging by a thread, the Ukrainians must overcome their travel sickness that has seen both of their Euro 2024 qualifying defeats come on the road. They’ve ominously conceded precisely twice on all three Group C trips, giving Rebrov another reason to sweat over.