Finland 0-1 Malta Player Ratings: Bonello Rated 9/10 as Late Grech Stunner Seals Shock 1-0 Victory

In what can only be described as a classic smash-and-grab, Malta secured a stunning 1-0 victory over Finland at the Helsingin olympiastadion. This match was a tale of Finnish dominance and Maltese resilience. From our perspective, Finland will be absolutely sickened to come away with nothing. They controlled the ball, created numerous chances, and laid siege to the Maltese goal for large parts of the game.

The hosts peppered the goal but found an immovable object in goalkeeper Henry Bonello. He was simply sensational, pulling off save after save to keep his team in it. The Finns, particularly Joel Pohjanpalo and Benjamin Källman, were guilty of missing golden opportunities that will haunt them. It felt inevitable that Finland would eventually break through, but football is a funny old game.

As Finland threw everything forward, Malta waited for their moment. It arrived in the 81st minute through substitute Jake Grech, who unleashed a brilliant strike from outside the box. The goal came against the run of play and silenced the home crowd, sealing an unlikely but famous win for the visitors in this WC Qualification Europe clash. It was a tactical masterclass in defensive football from Malta.

Here are Finland Vs Malta Player Ratings

Finland Player Ratings vs Malta

Here are Finland Player Ratings vs Malta

Goalkeeper

Viljami Sinisalo - 6.0: Had virtually nothing to do for 80 minutes of the match. He was a spectator for long periods as his team dominated possession. Could do little about the spectacular winning goal from distance. It was a well-placed shot that gave him no chance. A quiet and ultimately frustrating evening for the keeper.

Defenders

Juho Lähteenmäki - 7.0: A very composed performance at the back. He was comfortable on the ball, boasting a 93% pass completion rate and rarely gave it away. Defensively, he was solid, winning the majority of his duels and making some important recoveries. Didn't put a foot wrong.

Miro Tenho - 6.5: Mostly solid and dependable. He made seven clearances and was a towering presence. However, he'll be kicking himself for missing a huge chance from a corner that could have changed the game. That miss really stands out in a tight contest like this.

Ryan Mahuta - 7.0: A bundle of energy down the flank before his injury-forced substitution. He was constantly involved, engaging in 23 duels and making eight tackles. His attacking contribution was noticeable, but his final ball often lacked the required quality. A very busy but slightly inefficient performance.

Ville Koski - 6.5: Very neat and tidy in possession, completing 94% of his passes. He kept the play moving from the back but was rarely tested defensively. It was a comfortable evening for him until Malta's late sucker punch. A decent, if unremarkable, outing.

Midfielders

Leo Walta - 7.0: He was the metronome in Finland's midfield. Everything went through him, and he dictated the tempo for much of the game. He sprayed passes around the pitch but struggled to find that killer ball to unlock a very stubborn Maltese defence. A good performance that lacked a decisive moment.

Oliver Antman - 7.5: Finland's brightest spark in attack before being substituted. He was a constant threat, creating three chances and forcing the goalkeeper into action twice. His dribbling and directness caused problems, and it was a surprise to see him taken off. What stood out to us was his confidence on the ball.

Adam Markhiev - 6.5: A battling performance in the middle of the park. He drew an impressive four fouls and won a good number of his duels. However, he was a bit loose in possession at times and his influence waned as the game went on. A hard-working but mixed display.

Kaan Kairinen - 7.0: Showed his creative qualities by creating two chances, including one big chance. His delivery from set-pieces and open play was a consistent threat. He kept probing and trying to make things happen but was ultimately frustrated by the wall of red shirts in front of him.

Benjamin Källman - 6.0: A frustrating night for the midfielder. He worked hard and got into good positions but his end product was poor. He missed a big chance early on and completed just 59% of his passes. A performance full of effort but severely lacking in quality when it mattered.

Forwards

Joel Pohjanpalo - 5.5: A dreadful night for the captain. He looked off the pace and was incredibly wasteful in front of goal. Missing two big chances is unforgivable at this level. From our perspective, he never looked confident and was easily marshalled by the Maltese defence. A performance he'll want to forget quickly.

Substitutes

Robin Lod - 6.0: Came on to add some attacking impetus but struggled to make a real impact against a deep-lying defence.

Naatan Skyttä - 6.0: Tried to get involved but found space hard to come by in the final third.

Oiva Jukkola - 6.0: Replaced the injured Mahuta and had one late shot blocked.

Teemu Pukki - 5.5: Brought on to be the hero but was largely anonymous. Barely had a sniff of goal.

Topi Keskinen - 6.0: Looked lively and had a late shot, but couldn't find the target.

Manager

J. Friis - 5.5: His team completely dominated the match but failed to score. He watched his side miss chance after chance. His substitutions didn't have the desired effect, and tactically, he was outsmarted by his counterpart. A very disappointing result given the performance.

Malta Player Ratings vs Finland

Here are Malta Player Ratings vs Finland

Goalkeeper

Henry Bonello - 9.0: An absolutely heroic, man-of-the-match performance. He was the sole reason Malta came away with a victory. He made six saves, including several of the highest quality to deny Finland time and again. His command of his area and shot-stopping were simply world-class. An unforgettable display.

Defenders

Kurt Shaw - 8.0: A warrior's performance. He was a rock at the heart of the defence, throwing his body on the line with three blocked shots. He also made a crucial clearance off the line that saved a certain goal. An immense defensive display that was central to the clean sheet.

Enrico Pepe - 6.5: Generally solid but looked a little shaky at times. He made one error that led to a shot, which could have been costly on another day. He battled hard and made some important clearances before being substituted. A decent effort overall.

Juan Corbalan - 7.0: A disciplined and effective performance. He stuck to his defensive duties diligently, winning seven of his ten duels and drawing three fouls to relieve pressure. He offered little going forward, but that wasn't his job. He did exactly what was asked of him.

Zach Muscat - 7.5: Just like his partner Shaw, he was immense before his substitution. He made five clearances and two blocked shots, also clearing one attempt off the line. He put in a huge shift and was a key part of the defensive resilience that defined Malta's performance.

Midfielders

Matthew Guillaumier - 7.0: The captain led by example in the engine room. He worked tirelessly, covering an incredible amount of ground. His ten ball recoveries show how effective he was at breaking up Finland's play. A true captain's innings, full of grit and determination.

Joseph Mbong - 6.0: A very industrious performance, though he offered little in an attacking sense. He spent most of the match chasing shadows and helping his defence. Substituted after 65 minutes having run himself into the ground. A selfless but limited display.

Paul Mbong - 6.0: Similar to his brother, he put in a great deal of effort defensively but struggled to make an impact on the ball. He lost the majority of his duels and gave away possession cheaply. His work rate cannot be faulted, but his quality was lacking.

Ilyas Chouaref - 7.5: A fantastic performance capped off with the assist for the winning goal. He was Malta's most potent attacking outlet, always looking to create something. But what stood out was his defensive work rate, tracking back to help his fullback. A complete and decisive performance.

Alexander Satariano - 7.0: An absolute workhorse. He was relentless in his pressing and tackling, winning five tackles and nine duels. He embodied the fighting spirit of his team. While not always pretty on the ball, his contribution without it was invaluable.

Forwards

Irvin Cardona - 6.0: A difficult and isolated role up front. His pass accuracy of 41% tells the story of his night. He was starved of service and struggled to hold the ball up, being dispossessed three times. He worked hard but had very little to work with.

Substitutes

Jake Grech - 8.0: The hero of the night. He came off the bench and produced a moment of magic to win the game. His stunning strike was the only real moment of quality from Malta's attack, and it was enough. An incredible, game-changing cameo.

Adam Magri Overend - 6.5: Came on and helped see out the game with fresh legs.

Gabriel Mentz - 6.5: Added defensive solidity in the final stages.

Jean Borg - N/A: Brought on late to shore up the defence.

Andrea Zammit - N/A: Late substitute with little time to impact the game.

Manager

E. De Leo - 8.5: A tactical masterclass. His game plan to defend deep, absorb pressure, and hit on the counter worked to perfection. He organised his team brilliantly, and they fought for him for every second. His substitution to bring on Jake Grech proved to be a stroke of genius. A famous victory engineered by the manager.

Sportsdunia's player of the match is Bonello