Malé, Maldives — Lebanon produced a ruthless away performance on Thursday, October 1, 2026, defeating Maldives 6-0 in an international friendly at the National Football Stadium.

The scoreline was one-sided almost from the opening whistle. Lebanon pressed high, moved the ball quickly through midfield, and punished defensive mistakes with a clinical edge that Maldives could not match. By the time the final whistle arrived, the visitors had turned the friendly into a full-scale statement result.

Match Overview

Lebanon controlled possession and territory for long stretches, finishing with a dominant share of the ball and a heavy advantage in shots on target. Maldives sat deep in a bid to absorb pressure, but the home side struggled to keep possession once Lebanon won it back in advanced areas. The visitors attacked in waves, using both flanks and central overloads to create chances.

The game was effectively decided before half-time. Lebanon scored early, added a second midway through the opening period, and then struck again before the break to remove any doubt about the direction of the match. Maldives tried to push higher after the interval, but that only created more space for Lebanon to exploit in transition.

Key Moments

• 7th minute: Bassel Jradi opened the scoring with a composed finish after a quick exchange on the edge of the box.
• 23rd minute: Karim Darwich doubled the lead, arriving late to convert a low cross from the right.
• 38th minute: Rabih Ataya made it 3-0 with a first-time strike from just inside the penalty area.
• 55th minute: Darwich scored his second of the night, finishing a fast break with a calm left-footed effort.
• 71st minute: Hussein Zein added a fifth with a header from a corner.
• 84th minute: Nader Matar completed the scoring, curling a shot beyond the goalkeeper after cutting in from the left.

Tactical Story

Lebanon lined up in a flexible 4-2-3-1 that became a 4-3-3 when pressing. Their midfield squeezed Maldives’ first pass, forcing long balls that were easily recovered by the center-backs. Once Lebanon regained possession, the attacking trio moved infield to combine, while the full-backs provided width.

Maldives defended in a low block but could not close the gaps between the lines. Lebanon repeatedly found pockets of space just outside the box, and the home side’s attempts to counter were slowed by poor final passes. The six-goal margin reflected Lebanon’s superior speed of thought and execution in the final third.

Standout Players

Bassel Jradi was at the heart of Lebanon’s best moments, linking midfield and attack with sharp touches. Karim Darwich justified his starting role with two goals, while Hussein Zein combined defensive solidity with a goal from a set piece. Maldives’ goalkeeper made several saves to keep the score from becoming even more lopsided, but he received little protection from those in front of him.

What the Result Means

For Lebanon, the friendly provides confidence and momentum ahead of a demanding run of competitive fixtures. A six-goal win away from home is rare at international level, and the performance will give the coaching staff plenty of positive footage to reinforce. For Maldives, the night highlighted the gap between themselves and a sharper opponent, but friendlies are ultimately about development and identifying areas to improve before the next qualifying cycle.

Quick Facts

• Full-time score: Maldives 0-6 Lebanon
• Competition: International Friendly
• Date: October 1, 2026
• Lebanon’s goals: Jradi 7’, Darwich 23’, 55’, Ataya 38’, Zein 71’, Matar 84’
• Maldives’ best spell: Early second half, though without a goal