Under 21: Belgium edges past brave Malta

Malta were close on the first minute when from a free kick, Ryan Camenzuli forced a good save from Davy Roef.

The Belgians hit back and went ahead just one minute later. Charles Musonda was brought down inside the penalty area by Matthew Guillaumier. From the resulting penalty, Youri Tielemans placed the ball behind Jurgen Borg.

Johan Walem’s side kept going forward and were close on the 15th minute. Musonda went on the right flank and sent a cross that found Theo Ofeko Bongonda. The Celta forward fired a header that went slightly over.

On the 23rd minute, Belgium doubled the score. Sienna Miangue went down the left flank and delivered a cross towards the penalty area that was met by the unmarked Bongonda, who sent a header inside the net to make it 2-0.

Thirteen minutes later, Malta created a good opportunity on goal after Cain Attard drove down the right flank and passed the ball towards Jake Grech, who came on as a substitute earlier on. The Hamrun captain fired a shot that was neutralised by the Belgian goalkeeper.

The Maltese side had another chance on goal after 39 minutes. Johann Bezzina went past his marker and delivered a through ball towards Jurgen Degabriele. The Hibernians striker failed to make proper contact with the ball as Roef made an easy safe.

Seven minutes into the second half, Borg had to be on the alert to deny Siebe Schrijvers. The Belgian striker fired a shot from the edge of the penalty area that was parried by the Gzira goalkeeper.

One minute later, Jurgen Borg sent a poor pass that was intercepted by Schrijvers. However, Borg made up for his mistake and saved Schrijvers well taken shot.

On the 60th minute, Borg made another fine save. Tielemans won the ball on the edge of penalty area and fired a shot on goal that was saved by the twenty two year old.

Seven minutes later, Tielemans was close again to score Belgium’s third goal. From a free kick, the Anderlecht midfielder missed the target by a few centimetres.

Malta reduced the gap on the 74th minute when Jurgen Degabriele made the most out of a misunderstanding between the Belgian centre backs. The youngster took the ball and ran inside the penalty area, before slotting the ball behind Roef.

Belgium hit back through Schrijvers, who was denied by the post .The Belgian received the ball at the centre of the penalty area and sent a volley towards goal that hit the post.

On the 79th minute, Belgium went close to score a third goal when Tielemans sent a cross from a corner that found Engels. The Club Brugge defender attempted a volley that went high.

Four minutes later, Malta managed to score the equalising goal. Johann Bezzina fired a shot that was saved by the Belgian goalkeeper. The rebound fell for Jake Grech, who sent a low cross inside the goal area. In his attempt to clear Grech’s cross, Michael Heylen sent the ball into his own net.

Despite such effort, Belgium managed to score the winning goal one minute from time. From a corner, Engels finished a header past Borg to make it 3-2.

Malta starting line-up: Jurgen Borg, Jean Borg, Samir Arab, Ryan Camenzuli, Johann Bezzina, James Brincat, Matthew Guillaumier, Joseph Mbong, Jurgen Debabriele, Llywelyn Cremona, Cain Attard

Belgium Starting line-up: Davy Roef, Thomas Foket, Michael Heylen, Bjorn Engels, Senna Miangue, Julien De Sart, Youri Tielemans, Dennis Praet, Charles Musonda, Siebe Schrijvers, Theo Ofeko Bongonda

Referee: Nilsen Ola Hobber (Norway)