Lose when outnumbered
World Cup dreams shattered: Finland embarrasses itself against Malta
November 14, 2025 – 21:23Reading time: 1 minute.
With a win, Finland can keep their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup playoffs alive. However, things were different against Malta.
Surprise in World Cup qualifying: Finland lost its home match against Malta 0-1. The Scandinavian team were underwhelming at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki on Friday evening and conceded a late decisive goal from Jake Grech in the 82nd minute.
For Finland, who are ranked 72nd in the FIFA world rankings, it was a bitter disappointment against the world number 166th (behind Afghanistan and Vanuatu), and not just because of the result. This defeat also meant that the dream of qualifying for the World Cup finally vanished. For Finland, this is the final match of Group G, the difference between second place qualifying for the playoffs is three points.
This means that the country supported by Hanover striker Benjamin Källman remains not participating in the men’s World Cup.
