Northern Ireland had gone six games without a win or clean sheet and four games without a goal prior to their World Cup qualifier against Malta, with their last goal coming in a 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina in June 2025. The emphatic 4-0 win under new manager Michael McArdle broke that poor run of form and was Northern Ireland's first time scoring four goals in a match since 2023. Keri Halliday, handed a rare start by McArdle, scored her first two international goals and registered an assist in the victory.
Halliday described the manager as giving the team freedom and confidence, adding that they are playing with smiles and energy. McArdle, appointed in March, oversaw managerial and squad changes including Cora Chambers making her senior debut off the bench and Rebecca McKenna being handed the captain's armband in Simone Magill's absence, as Magill is expecting her first child. McArdle expressed excitement about Chambers, noting her strength and consistent performances over the last two years.
Excitement, I think that's certainly the immediate observation [of Cora]. Looking ahead to Malta, there's a focus on the front end of the pitch. Cora is definitely a player that over the last two years in the league has shown real strength in her outcomes and consistent performances and it's one of those ones that it's easy to reward that. Really excited by Cora and I think that the energy that she can add is slightly different to what we already have and certainly it's a reward for her hard work over the last couple of seasons at club.
Malta currently sits bottom of Group B2 in World Cup qualifying and is winless in their opening two games, having previously drawn 0-0 at home against Northern Ireland in the Nations League. It remains unclear what specific tactical changes McArdle implemented to transform the attack or how long Magill will be absent due to her pregnancy. Northern Ireland's exact chances of securing a World Cup play-off spot after this win are also unknown, along with the date and opponent for their next qualifier.