Germany U21s prevail comfortably in Malta as Tresoldi stars with hat-trick
| Hat-trick hero in Malta Nicolo Tresoldi | Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images |
Debutant Noahkai Banks handed Malta a surprise opportunity to take the lead just nine minutes in, which Basil Tuma duly converted. However, a Tresoldi hat-trick, complemented by a Tom Rothe header, ensured Germany maintained their place at the top of qualifying Group F.
Despite once again adopting a low block, as they had in the reverse fixture in Fürth, Malta managed to take a shock lead with not even 10 minutes on the clock. Banks was at fault after taking a heavy touch near halfway, allowing Tuma to race through on goal unopposed. The forward kept his cool to finish past the onrushing Max Weiß and send the hosts into an unlikely lead.
It took Germany just two minutes to respond, with Tresoldi grabbing his first of the evening. A curling effort from Leandro Morgalla on his weaker left foot bounced back into the path of the clinical forward, who made no mistake from close range to level the scores.
Germany continued to dominate and took the lead after 32 minutes, albeit in fortuitous circumstances. An attempted clearance inside the Malta area cannoned off another Maltese defender before ricocheting into the path of Mert Kömür. His subsequent effort was saved by Liam Frendo, only for the ball to fall straight to Rothe, who headed home with ease to make it 2-1, which remained the score at half-time.
Antonio Di Salvo made one change at the break, with Laurin Ulrich replacing Francis Onyeka, and the Paderborn man had an instant impact. The substitute whipped in a corner from the left, with Tresoldi waiting inside the area. The forward rose highest to nod home and make it 3-1 with just 47 minutes on the clock.
Despite falling further behind, the hosts refused to change their approach and troubled Germany very little in the second period. Tuma appeared to have a decent penalty appeal after breaking into the area just after the hour mark, though the referee instead booked the forward for simulation, much to the frustration of the Malta side.
With 69 minutes on the clock, Tresoldi completed his hat-trick in some style. The Club Brugge forward stepped up to take a free kick just outside the area and magnificently found the top-left corner, leaving Frendo with no chance and making it 4-1.
The game cooled down somewhat after that, with Germany comfortably controlling the final 20 minutes and seeing out the contest in the Malta half on their way to a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
