Belgium 2
Malta 0
Belgium needed two late goals to overcome ten-man Malta in Louvain yesterday and maintain their perfect start in the UEFA qualifiers.
The Belgians dominated the match for long stretches but could not find a way past Malta goalkeeper Matthew Calleja Cremona.
However, that all changed on 73 minutes when Daniel Zerafa committed a penalty and was subsequently dismissed.
Youri Tielemans scored from the spot and from then on there was no way back for the visitors as the Belgians added a second goal to wrap up the points.
This was Belgium’s third successive win in Group 1 that keeps them on top on nine points while Malta remain second on five but have played two games more.
The Belgians, led by former great Enzo Scifo, were soon on the offensive as Dennis Praet just missed the target after three minutes before Benito Raman was denied by Calleja Cremona.
Malta almost hit on the break on 17 minutes but Luke Montebello just missed the target.
The Belgians regained the initiative and on 42 minutes Obbi Oulare should have put the hosts ahead but hit wide from close in.
Belgium kept the initiative on the restart and on 48 minutes Calleja Cremona did well to keep out Oulare’s effort while six minutes later he pushed away Julien De Sart’s shot.
In a rare Malta attack, Kyle Cesare tried his luck from the distance but his effort ended wide.
Belgium finally broke Malta’s resistance 17 minutes from time when they were awarded a penalty after Zerafa fouled Guillame in the box.
The Malta defender was dismissed and Tielemans duly converted from the spot.
De Sart added a second goal five minutes later as the hosts eased to victory.
Belgium: D. Roef, M. Heylen, T. Foket, L. Dendoncker, J. Kayembe, J. De Sart, Y. Tielemans (81 T. Castagne), D. Praet, C. Musonda (71 T. Dierckx), B. Raman, O. Oulare (64 B. Guillaume).
Malta: M. Calleja Cremona, E. Briffa, S. Magri, C. Attard, D. Zerafa, R. Camenzuli, K. Cesare (87 T. Agius), M. Guillaumier, L. Cremona, L. Montebello (85 J. Degabriele), J. Mbong (82 B. Muscat).
Referee: Fran Jovic (Croatia).
Playing tomorrow
Moldova vs Latvia - 14.00