Credit: Ali Sahib, Chronicle.lu
On Tuesday 31 March 2026, Luxembourg's national football team ("Rout Léiwen" or Red Lions) claimed a second victory over Malta in the second leg of their UEFA Nations League play-off.
The Red Lions, under head coach Jeff Strasser, secured their place in League C with a 3-0 win at the Stade de Luxembourg, following a 2-0 away victory in the first leg.
The match was sold out and played in front of a crowd of 9,113 spectators, according to the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF). Vincent Thill, Danel Sinani and Tomás Moreira Cruz scored goals for the hosts.
Malta got off to a strong start, forcing Anthony Moris into action already in the 8th minute when he denied Chouaref's goal attempt.
Luxembourg gradually took control of the game. In the 20th minute, a throw-in on the left led to the opening goal: assisted by Danel Sinani, Vincent Thill controlled the ball before firing into the net to secure a 1-0 lead.
Three minutes later, Thill was penalised for a foul on Malta's Chouaref. In the 27th minute, Sinani was shown a yellow card and conceded a free-kick for a foul on Chouaref.
Shortly before halftime (45+1), Luxembourg were awarded a penalty following a foul by Joseph Mbong on Leandro Barreiro. Sinani stepped up but his penalty was saved by the Maltese goalkeeper.
After the break, the Red Lions maintained their momentum. In the 50th minute, Barreiro backheeled the ball to Sinani who went on to score Luxembourg's second goal of the match.
After Luxembourg's Enes Mahmutovic and Sébastien Thill came on in the 57th minute, Malta were reduced to ten men just seven minutes later when Joseph Mbong received a second yellow card for a foul on Sébastien Thill.
Luxembourg capitalised on their advantage. In the 70th minute, substitute Tomás Moreira Cruz added a third goal, assisted by Seid Korac.
Further attempts late in the game proved unsuccessful and the score remained unchanged at 3-0.
With a 5-0 aggregate victory, Luxembourg comfortably secured their place in League C of the UEFA Nations League.
Starting lineups:
Luxembourg: Anthony Moris (GK); Laurent Jans (C); Seid Korac; Dirk Carlson; Florian Bohnert; Mathias Olesen; Christopher Martins; Leandro Barreiro; Vincent Thill; Danel Sinani; Aiman Dardari.
Malta: Henry Bonello (GK); Zach Muscat; Gabriel Mentz; Enrico Pepe; Ryan Camenzuli; Matthew Guillaumier (C); Alexander Satariano; Joseph Mbong; Paul Mbong; Ilyas Chouaref; Irwin Cardona.
