Turkey put four past Malta to seal third

Two goals each for Hayrullah Alici and Fatih Aktay helped Turkey to a 4-0 victory over UEFA European Under-17 Championship hosts Malta and third place in Group A.

With both sides effectively eliminated from the tournament prior to kick-off, there was pride and third spot at stake at the Ta' Qali National Stadium. Malta started brightly and although the teams went in goalless at the break, Turkey upped the tempo in the second half and were in command thanks to two Alici goals before Aktay put a gloss on proceedings with a double of his own.

Spurred on by an impressive home crowd, Malta began well and came close to an early lead but Jake Grech's curling free-kick was well saved by Tarık Çetin low to his left. Turkey had chances too. First, Enes Ünal was repelled by Jamie Azzopardi before Emirhan Aydoğan dragged his effort wide from the edge of the area. Ünal then seemed destined to grab the opener on 23 minutes, only for Azzopardi to scramble across his goal to deny the forward what appeared to be an easy finish.

Turkey came out energised after the interval and forged ahead three minutes into the second period. When substitute Aktay attempted to turn in the box, his touch ran perfectly into the path of Alici who swept the ball beyond Azzopardi. Hakan Tecimer's charges grew in confidence and doubled their advantage 15 minutes later when a loose ball in the area rolled to Alici's feet and the attacker guided it coolly into the top right-hand corner.

Having set up Turkey's first, Aktay got himself on the scoresheet with a neat turn and finish from close range. The No18 completed the scoring late on with a tap-in after Ertuğrul Ersoy's fine attempt from long range came back off the crossbar and the goalkeeper.