The Malta women’s national team suffered its third defeat in the World Cup qualifying campaign this afternoon when it was beaten by Serbia 3-0 at the Centenary Stadium.

The Serbians were clearly the better side on the day and took the lead after only three minutes.

Marija Ilicic’s throughball released Jovana Damnjanovic who sped into the area, turned past Malta goalkeeper Janice Xuereb before depositing into an empty net.

That early goal settled Serbia’s nerves as they completely dominated proceedings.

On 18 minutes Malta goalkeeper Xuereb produce a fine one-handed save to keep out Vesna Smiljkovic’s long-range shot.

On 33 minutes, Malta had a golden opportunity to draw level when Dorianne Theuma’s throughball put Rachel Cuschieri clean through but with only Nilsson to beat the Malta forward fired wide.

The hosts paid dearly for this miss as five minutes later Serbia doubled their lead. From a corner action, Marija Ilic’s cross found Jelena Cubrilo at the far post and the Serbia forward drilled the ball into the net.

Three minutes from the break, the Serbs almost hit a third when Aleksandra Savanovic’s long-range drive came off the bar.

Theuma came close nine minutes from time when Theuma’s fierce drive from outside the area was brilliantly tipped over by Nilsson.But it was the Serbs who wrapped up the point on 84 minutes when Damnjanovic’s cross found Cankovic who stabbed the ball home from close in.