Lithuania 1-1 Malta Player Ratings: Gvidas Gineitis Last Minute Penalty Secure a Crucial Draw in a Close Encounter

In what turned out to be an absolutely thrilling finish, Lithuania and Malta shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the S. Dariaus ir S. Gireno stadionas. This WC Qualification encounter between these two teams was a scrappy, hard-fought battle. The home team will be gutted to see the game end as a draw, as they had the chance to move up in the table but were seen off on the field. Malta looked to have won the game, but came a reckless challenge in the box, giving away a penalty to Lithuania. But it was Alexander Satariano who pounced on a counter-attack in the 83rd minute, finishing clinically to send hopes to the away side.

They threw bodies on the line, trying to win all three points. However, the game descended into chaos in stoppage time. Deep into the added minutes, a clumsy challenge from Malta's captain, Zach Muscat, inside the box, handed Lithuania a lifeline. Gvidas Gineitis stepped up to the spot. He coolly converted the penalty, salvaging a dramatic point for the hosts in this thrilling match. It felt like a gut punch for Malta, which was moments away from victory. Here are the Lithuania vs Malta player ratings:

Malta Player Ratings vs Lithuania

Goalkeeper

Henry Bonello - 7.0: A really solid performance from the Maltese keeper. He made three crucial saves, including a couple from inside the box that kept his team in the game. He couldn't do anything about the penalty, but his command of the area was good, claiming a high ball well. A reliable presence between the sticks.

Defenders

Kurt Shaw - 6.0: A very busy night for Shaw, who racked up an impressive 10 clearances. However, what stood out to us was his struggle in one-on-one situations, winning only a quarter of his duels. He picked up a yellow card and just looked a bit overwhelmed at times.

Enrico Pepe - 6.5: Pepe was a warrior at the back, throwing himself into challenges and making 6 vital clearances. He was strong in the air, winning three aerial duels, but also lost five, showing it was a real battle. He fought for everything, but it was a mixed performance under constant pressure.

Myles Beerman - 6.0: Only on for the first half, Beerman's evening was cut short. He picked up a yellow card and didn't really have time to impose himself on the game. He made a few clearances but was ultimately a footnote in a chaotic match.

Zach Muscat - 5.5: The captain's night ended in heartbreak. For 94 minutes, he was a leader, blocking shots and organising the defence with 5 clearances. But his late, desperate lunge gave away the penalty that cost his team the win. It was a moment of madness that undid all his prior good work.

Midfielders

Joseph Mbong - 7.0: Mbong was a livewire on the flank, completing four of five dribbles and always looking to drive his team forward. He created two key passes and was a constant nuisance before being substituted. We noticed his energy was a key outlet for Malta's counter-attacks.

Paul Mbong - 7.0: He was Malta's biggest threat for long periods, registering four shots with two on target. Paul was full of running and endeavour, winning a high number of his duels. His booking was a result of his relentless work rate, though sometimes his final ball was lacking.

Ilyas Chouaref - 7.0: An absolute workhorse in the middle of the park. From our perspective, his stats were incredible, winning 12 of his 22 duels and drawing four fouls. He was everywhere, breaking up play and trying to start attacks. A tireless and slightly underrated performance.

Brandon Paiber - 6.5: A tidy but unspectacular performance from Paiber. He kept possession well with 88% pass accuracy, but failed to make a significant impact in the final third.

Alexander Satariano - 8.0: Malta's best player on the night. He was a menace throughout, taking an incredible 7 shots. He finally got his reward with a well-taken goal that he thought had won the game. His movement and persistence were top-class, making him a deserving goalscorer.

Forwards

Irvin Cardona - 7.0: Cardona played the facilitator role expertly. While he didn't get a shot off himself, he created three key passes for his teammates. His link-up play was intelligent, and he was crucial in transitioning Malta from defence to attack.

Substitutes

Juan Corbalan - 6.0: Came on at halftime and provided fresh legs but didn't change the game's complexion significantly.

Jake Grech - N/A: Didn't have enough time to make an impact.

Adam Magri Overend - N/A: Brought on late to help see out the game.

Jodi Jones - N/A: Another late substitution with little time to influence proceedings.

Jake Azzopardi - 1.0: A truly disastrous cameo. He came on in the 87th minute and was sent off in the 91st minute after a VAR review. He left his team in the lurch for the final, crucial moments.

Manager

E. De Leo - 7.0: His game plan was almost perfect. His side was disciplined, dangerous on the break, and minutes away from a famous away win. He was let down by individual errors at the very end, but his tactical setup was spot on.

Lithuania Player Ratings vs Malta

Goalkeeper

Edvinas Gertmonas - 6.5: He had a relatively quiet evening but was alert when needed, making two saves. He was left completely exposed for Satariano's goal. A steady, if untested, performance overall.

Defenders

Artemijus Tutyškinas - 7.0: Tutyškinas was a rock at the back, winning an impressive 9 duels and being a physical presence throughout. He earned a yellow card for his aggressive style, but was a key part of a defence that was mostly solid.

Edgaras Utkus - 7.5: A very influential performance. Not only was he solid defensively, blocking three shots, but he was also the player fouled for the game-changing penalty. His composure under pressure was immense, and that single moment earned his team a point.

Edvinas Girdvainis - 6.5: A quiet and effective game from the central defender. He didn't do anything spectacular, but he also made no glaring errors. He completed his passes and did his defensive duties without fuss, a classic 'did his job' kind of night.

Klaudijus Upstas - 6.0: It was a difficult night for Upstas, who struggled in his duels and lost possession frequently. He worked hard but seemed a yard off the pace before being substituted in the second half.

Midfielders

Modestas Vorobjovas - 5.5: Really struggled to get a foothold in the game. What stood out to us was his shocking 13% duel success rate, and he was dribbled past three times. A yellow card capped off a poor performance where he looked completely off the pace.

Artūr Dolžnikov - 5.0: Hooked at halftime after a very ineffective 45 minutes. He missed a big chance and picked up a booking, offering very little going forward. It was no surprise to see him replaced.

Gratas Sirgėdas - 6.5: He kept the ball moving in midfield with a decent passing range but lacked the creativity to unlock the Maltese defence. A solid, if unspectacular, shift before he was substituted.

Justas Lasickas - 7.5: The captain was a creative spark for Lithuania. He created three chances, two of which were considered big chances, and was always looking for a killer pass. His delivery and vision were excellent, and he led by example.

Gvidas Gineitis - 8.5: The Man of the Match. He was a threat all night, taking five shots and constantly probing. To step up in the 96th minute and convert a penalty with such confidence speaks volumes about his character.

Forwards

Gytis Paulauskas - 7.5: An absolute monster in the air. Paulauskas won a staggering 10 aerial duels and 15 total duels, making him a nightmare for the Maltese defenders. While he didn't score, his physical presence created chaos and space for others.

Substitutes

Eligijus Jankauskas - 6.5: Came on at halftime and offered more energy than Dolžnikov, but couldn't find a breakthrough.

Paulius Golubickas - N/A: Introduced with just over 20 minutes to play.

Tomas Kalinauskas - N/A: A late change to add attacking impetus.

Romualdas Jansonas - N/A: Brought on for the final stretch.

Manager

T. Ražanauskas - 7.0: His team looked frustrated for large parts of the match, struggling to break down a stubborn opponent. However, his substitutions added some life, and his team's relentless pressure eventually forced the late error. He'll be relieved to have escaped with a point.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Gvidas Gineitis