Scotland defeats nine-man Malta 5-1 in World Cup qualifier

Scotland took control of possession from the beginning and threatened the Maltese defence after five minutes. Robert Snodgrass attempted his luck from the edge of the penalty area, but his effort ended up high.

Three minutes later, Hogg had to be on the alert to deny Andrew Robertson. The twenty two year old was put through by Matt Ritchie, but the Maltese goalkeeper made his presence felt to deny the Scottish.

On the 10th minute, Hogg could do nothing to save a sublime effort from Snodgrass. The Hull City player fired a shot from distance that ended up in the top corner of the net.

The Maltese responded immediately and scored an equalising goal through Alfred Effiong. Gareth Sciberras sent a cross inside the penalty area that was met by the Balzan striker, who headed the ball past David Marshall.

Ten minutes later, Hogg produced a good save to deny Snodgrass once again. The striker received a cross from the right flank, and attempted a header that was neutralised by the Maltese goalkeeper.

Scotland had a good chance to regain their lead on the 37th minute. From a free kick, Matt Ritchie sent a cross inside the penalty area that found Grant Hanley, whose effort ended up wide.

Four minutes from half time, the Scottish lost another chance when Robertson drove inside the penalty area from the right flank, before firing a shot that went wide of the post.

In the added time given by the referee prior to half time, Malta managed to threaten the Scottish defence once more. From a free kick won by Effiong, Paul Fenech sent the ball inside the penalty area. Andre Schembri stretched his legs to make contact with the ball, but his effort went a few centimetres wide.

Two minutes into the second half, the Maltese created another good opportunity. Luke Gambin received the ball on the flank, and sent a low cross towards Schembri. The Boavista midfielder saw his shot being parried by Marshall, but the assistant referee raised his flag for an offside and the chance was lost.

Despite making a positive start to the second half, Malta went a goal down on the 53rd minute. Ritchie sent a through ball towards Chris Martin, who slotted the ball inside the net.

Things went from bad to worse for Malta when six minutes later Jonathan Caruana fouled Chris Martin inside the penalty area. The referee pointed to the spot and sent off the Maltese defender for denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity. From the resulting spot kick, Snodgrass converted to make it 3-1.

Scotland kept on dominating against ten men Malta and scored their fourth goal on the 78th minute. Ritchie went on the right side and sent a cross towards Steven Fletcher. The Substitute jumped high and headed home.

Six minutes from time, Snodgrass completed his hattrick by scoring Scotland’s fifth goal. Ritchie sent a through ball towards Fletcher, and the Sheffield Wednesday player went round Hogg, before hitting the post. The rebound fell for Snodgrass who had no difficulty in front of an open goal and placed the ball inside the net.

On the 90th minute, Malta ended up with nine men after Luke Gambin committed a poor tackle that earned him a straight red card.

Malta’s next commitment in the World Cup qualifiers will be on the 8th of October against England in Wembley.

Malta starting line-up: Andrew ­Hogg, Jonathan Caruana, ­Joseph Zerafa, Gareth Sciberras, Andrei Agius, Paul Fenech, Luke Gambin, Andre Schembri, Steve Borg, Ryan Scicluna, Alfred Effiong

Scotland starting line-up: David Marshall, Callum Patterson, Andrew Robertson, Russell Martin, Grant Hanley, Barry Bannan, Darren Fletcher, Oliver Burke, Chris Martin, Robert Snodgrass, Matt Ritchie

Referee: Yevhen Aranovskiy (Ukraine)