Georgia Secures Semi-Final Spot with Tense Victory Over Malta

Georgia finished the group stage with exactly what they came for: a place in the last four and a performance built on nerve, structure and just enough cutting edge when it mattered. Malta pushed them to the wire, but a 2-1 win sealed the final semi-final ticket and completed the knockout picture.

Georgia edge Malta in tense decider

With so much riding on it, the opening period between Georgia and Malta felt like a chess match on sand. Both sides sat in their shape, waited, probed, and refused to blink. Chances were rationed. Mistakes were forbidden. The first 12 minutes ended goalless, high on tension and low on risk.

The game needed a spark. It came in the second period, and it came from Kurdadze. Georgia finally broke through as he found the net, a breakthrough that instantly loosened shoulders in white and red. Malta had to come out, and that suited Georgia.

Just before the buzzer, Lomidze struck. His goal made it 2-0 and changed the entire mood of the contest. Georgia suddenly looked like a side with one foot in the semi-finals; Malta, a team staring at the end of the road unless they could conjure something special in the last frame.

They almost did. Malta refused to fade and, in the third period, Bray dragged them back into it with a well-taken goal. That strike flipped the pressure. Now it was Georgia retreating, defending deep, every clearance cheered like a goal.

The final minutes were all about resilience. Malta pressed, threw men forward, and chased every loose ball, but Georgia’s back line held its line and its composure. The 2-1 scoreline survived to the final whistle, and with it, Georgia’s campaign moved into the semi-finals.

Slovakia outlast England in extra-time thriller

If Georgia’s win was about control, Slovakia’s 4-3 victory over England was chaos in waves.

England struck first in Group B, Hulme putting them ahead early in the opening period. It looked like a statement start. Slovakia tore it up. Turoň hit back, Šmálik followed, and by the end of the first frame Slovakia had flipped the match on its head, leading 2-1.

The second period was a scrap. England, already under pressure, were hit by the worst kind of blow: an own goal that stretched Slovakia’s advantage. Yet they refused to fold. Robinson stepped up to keep England alive, trimming the deficit to 3-2 by the second break and keeping belief intact.

The third period carried the feel of a knockout tie, even if it was still the group stage. Every attack looked decisive. Friery finally landed the punch England were chasing, levelling at 3-3 and dragging the contest into extra time.

One more twist remained. In the added period, Hrnčiar found the decisive goal, breaking English resistance and sealing a dramatic 4-3 win for Slovakia. England had fought back twice. It still wasn’t enough.

Latvia stay sharp to fend off Azerbaijan

Latvia’s 3-2 victory over Azerbaijan was built on timing and calm under pressure.

They took control early. Grīslis broke the deadlock in the first period, a clean finish that gave Latvia a 1-0 lead at the first break and, crucially, something to protect.

The game opened up in the second frame. Azerbaijan finally found their range through Orkhan, who levelled the match and briefly shifted the momentum. Latvia did not let it run away from them. Ģēgers responded, restoring the advantage and sending Latvia into the final period 2-1 up.

The pressure climbed, and Latvia answered it first. Sakne pushed them further clear, his goal providing a precious cushion at 3-2. They would need it. Orkhan struck again for Azerbaijan, completing his brace and setting up a nervous finish.

Latvia’s defence, though, refused to crack. They absorbed the late surge, shut down space, and saw out a hard-fought win that underlined their growing confidence ahead of the knockout rounds.

What comes next

The group stage has done its job: separated hope from reality and thrown up a semi-final lineup with real intrigue.

Norway will face Azerbaijan, who must quickly regroup after their narrow loss to Latvia. On the other side, Latvia and Georgia meet in a semi-final that pits Latvia’s sharp attacking moments against Georgia’s disciplined, big-game mentality.

Slovakia and England, meanwhile, head into the 5th–7th place playoffs, with Slovakia set to meet England again and Malta also in the mix.

Georgia have taken the final step into the last four. Now comes the real question: can they turn that hard-won ticket into something more substantial?