Watch: Malta snatches victory against Finland in World Cup qualifier

Win in Helsinki is Malta's first victory in an away qualifier in 10 years

The Malta national team stunned Finland with a late goal to secure their first win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in Helsinki.

Substitute Jake Grech turned out to be Malta’s hero as the attacking midfielder came off the bench to fire home the winner with virtually his first touch of the match and lift Malta off the bottom spot and above Lithuania in the standings.

While Grech will take the plaudits for netting the winner, however, several players produced a heroic performance. Goalkeeper Henry Bonello stood tall with a world-class display that saw him produce a string of excellent saves that handed the team their first away win in an away World Cup qualifier against Armenia in 2013.

Jake Grech scores Malta's winner against Finland in Helsinki.

The Maltese were forced to defend for long stretches of the match, but they showed great resilience, and in the end, their spirit was rewarded with Grech’s winner.

The win lifted the team to fifth place in the group on five points and boosted their hopes of finishing a qualifying campaign above the bottom place for the first time in several years.

Full story on sport.timesofmalta.com

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