Finland x Malta confirmed line-up: where to watch the 2026 World Cup qualifiers

Finland drew 1-1 with Malta this Friday, November 14, 2025, in a match valid for the ninth round of Group G of the European qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. The game, played at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, maintained Finnish hopes of reaching second place in the group, which guarantees a place in the playoffs. Despite their initial dominance, Finland failed to convert clear chances, while Malta, bottom of the group, surprised with defensive organization.

The Finnish goal was scored by Benjamin Källman, in the 32nd minute of the first half, after an assist from Oliver Antman. Malta equalized the score in the second half, with Alexander Satariano taking advantage of a defensive error. The match was marked by balance, with 48 total shots, 27 from Finland and 15 from Malta.

• Finland had 52% possession of the ball, compared to Malta’s 48%.
• Malta committed 14 fouls, receiving three yellow cards.
• Julian Weinberger’s refereeing was considered neutral, with 4.75 cards per game on average.

The result leaves Finland with 10 points, three behind Poland, in second place. Malta has two points, in last place.

Performance on the field

Finland started pressing, with Källman and Joel Pohjanpalo creating opportunities. The team, coached by Jacob Friis, used a 3-4-1-2 formation, exploring the flanks. In the second half, the entry of Teemu Pukki, in his last competitive match for the national team, brought intensity, but did not prevent the draw.

Malta Strategy

Malta, under the command of Emilio De Leo, adopted a 4-2-3-1 formation, prioritizing counterattacks. The absence of suspended Ryan Camenzuli and Teddy Teuma was compensated by Matthew Guillaumier. Satariano’s goal, in the 58th minute, resulted from an error in the Finnish ball. The team showed discipline, with Enrico Pepe leading the defense.

Ranking Chances

Finland needs to beat Malta and hope for Poland’s stumbles against the Netherlands and Malta. Group G has the Netherlands in the lead, already guaranteed to be in the top two. Malta, eliminated, seeks to improve its position in the table. The next rounds, on November 17th, define the classifieds.

Match history

Finland and Malta have faced each other nine times, with six Finnish victories. The last meeting, in March 2025, ended in a 1-0 Finnish victory. Since 1991, Malta has not beaten Finland, but today’s draw breaks the losing streak. The 2018 game, in Helsinki, ended 5-0 for the home team.

Individual highlights

Benjamin Källman was the name of the game for the Finnish side, with three goals in the qualifiers. Oliver Antman, with two assists, also stood out. For Malta, Satariano scored his only goal of the campaign, while Henry Bonello made crucial saves.

Broadcast and audience

The game was broadcast on Disney+ and ESPN 4, with an estimated audience of 20 thousand spectators at the stadium. The Finnish fans, despite the cold, turned out in droves.