MALTA AND LUXEMBOURG END FIRST HALF IN CAGEY GOALLESS DRAW

The match got off to an unusual start with an eight-minute delay to kickoff due to a VAR issue, keeping the thousands of Maltese fans, and the 11 Maltese players , on edge.

Malta earned their first corner in the fourth minute, but the game quickly settled into a cagey affair, with neither side able to assert control.

Malta’s first proper chance of the half came from a well-worked move involving star players Teddy Teuma, Jonathan Cardona, and Alexander Satariano, only for the Luxembourg goalkeeper to make a solid save.

Heartbreak struck the Maltese fans in the 34th minute when Teddy Teuma went down injured and had to be carried off on a stretcher, making way for Floriana star Jake Grech.

The final moments of the half saw Malta come close again, with Irvin Cardona narrowly missing the target following a clever build-up involving Paul Mbong and Jake Grech.

Moments later, another chance went begging as Malta hit the post from a cross that was deflected by a Luxembourg defender.

The first half ended 0-0, with tension and anticipation building for the second half.

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