Switzerland started strong with Iman Beney scoring the opener in the 8th minute, quickly followed by Lehmann just two minutes later. Showing impressive skill, she capitalized on a through ball to beat the Maltese goalkeeper with a precise first-touch shot, marking her 10th international goal.
Despite the commanding scoreline, captain Lia Walti expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s overall performance, emphasizing that they should have won by a much larger margin. “We need to be more ruthless and aim for higher scores against teams like this,” she remarked, following a game where the team managed to hit the target with only 12 of their 28 shots. Malta’s Maria Farrugia’s goal in the 19th minute served as a reminder that Switzerland had room for improvement.
Forward Aurelie Csillag shared Walti’s sentiment, acknowledging the need for better performances to secure World Cup qualification. After their solid start against Northern Ireland, the team knows that maintaining efficiency will be crucial in upcoming matches. Head coach Rafel Navarro’s emphasis on “scoring many goals” highlights the need for a more lethal approach as they prepare for their next challenge.
Switzerland’s focus now turns to crucial double encounters with Turkey in April. These matches will provide another chance for the team to refine their scoring ability, with Lehmann poised to play a vital role. With adjustments already being made to the lineup by Navarro, the team is laying the groundwork for a strong campaign leading up to the World Cup.
