Malta’s national rugby team pulled off one of the most thrilling comebacks in recent memory on Saturday afternoon, scoring 17 unanswered points in the final twelve minutes to beat Sweden 36–34 in front of 1,600 supporters at a sun-drenched Tony Bezzina Stadium in Paola.

With just over twenty minutes left on the clock, Malta trailed 19–34 and the visitors looked to be cruising. What followed was a finish that had the home crowd on its feet until the very last second, when a Swedish penalty attempt that would have won the match sailed wide.

A flying start
Barely three minutes in, fly-half Robert Holloway crossed the line for the opening try, and centre Christopher Dudman added the extra two points with the kick to make it 7–0.

Sweden hit back through their captain, Axel Kalling-Smith, to level at 7–7, but Malta responded in style. Hooker Ryan Connolly powered over for a second try, converted by Dudman, before Holloway grabbed his second of the afternoon on 22 minutes to push the hosts 19–7 ahead.
On Sweden’s end, tries from Daniel Cutler and Samuel Ekfeldt, the latter right on the stroke of half-time, cut the gap to just two points at the break: 19–17.

Sweden take control
The second half started badly for the home side. Dudman narrowly missed an early penalty, and Sweden then struck three times in less than ten minutes. Scrum-half Jack Tatu Robertsson scored and converted his own try, replacement Robin Fransson added another, and Ekfeldt claimed his second to open up a 15-point lead at 19–34 with 57 minutes played.

The comeback
Malta’s forwards turned up the pressure, and Sweden began to crack. On 67 minutes, the visitors had a player sent to the sin bin, and a minute later the referee awarded Malta a penalty try after Swedish foul play stopped a likely score, putting seven points on the board at once: 26–34.
A second Swedish yellow card followed on 70 minutes, leaving the visitors with just 13 players. Malta made the extra space count. Replacement hooker Harry Collins burst over on 73 minutes, and Dudman’s conversion brought the hosts to within a single point at 33–34.

With two minutes remaining, Malta won a penalty within range. Dudman stepped up, held his nerve and sent it between the posts to put Malta ahead 36–34 for the first time since half-time.
In the dying seconds Sweden were awarded a penalty of their own: a successful kick would have handed them victory. The ball drifted wide, the final whistle blew, and Paola erupted.

Malta stay top of the table
The win makes it three from three for Malta, who stay top of the Rugby Europe Men’s Trophy standings on 12 points, one ahead of Germany. Czechia are close behind on 9 points with a game in hand, while Sweden drop to fourth on 7. With the title race this tight, every point from here on will count.

Scoring summary
Malta (36): Tries: Robert Holloway (2), Ryan Connolly, Harry Collins; Penalty try; Conversions: Christopher Dudman (3); Penalty: Christopher Dudman.
Sweden (34): Tries: Samuel Ekfeldt (2), Axel Kalling-Smith, Daniel Cutler, Jack Tatu Robertsson, Robin Fransson; Conversions: Jack Tatu Robertsson (2).
Yellow cards: Mark Davey (Malta, 33′); David Towler (Sweden, 68′); Armir Kozhani (Sweden, 70′).