History was made on February 21, 2025, as the Gibraltar Women's National Team stepped out onto the Nisporeni Central Stadium to make their official debut in the UEFA Women’s Nations League. The occasion was monumental, a testament to the strides made in the development of women’s football on the Rock, and Gibraltar’s WNT rose to the occasion.
Gibraltar delivered an inspired performance, playing on the front foot and taking the game to their hosts. The midfield duo of Tiffany Viagas and Dahlia Salah El-Din dictated play, showing composure and technical ability beyond their years. The backline, marshaled by Talia Gilbert, Alexandra Ambrosio, 17-year-old Maya Schilling, and Charlyann Pizzarello, stood firm in the face of Moldovan pressure. Meanwhile, in goal, Caitlin Robba, twin sister of captain Shania Robba, produced a series of top-class saves to keep Gibraltar in contention.
Despite the performance, Gibraltar’s hearts would break in the dying moments of the match, as Moldova snatched a last-minute winner to secure a 1-0 victory—a cruel blow after such a valiant display, but the squad’s spirits would not be dulled.
Gibraltar WNT Head Coach Scott Wiseman said: “It was a tough end to the match in Moldova on Friday night in our opening group game, but a great team performance to take us into tonight’s match. I think there were only positives; the disappointment of conceding so late subsided pretty quickly after the game."
"Yes, we've conceded late. Yes, the girls were devastated, tears were shed, and it was very emotional for probably about five minutes, but then came the realization of what they had achieved over the course of the game.
They actually believed in themselves for the first time, and I think that showed on the pitch and then off the pitch as well. When they realized how far they’ve come, they had their own personal win and their own team win despite the result.”
The belief within the squad spurred them on to produce yet another spirited performance a mere 4 days later when they returned home to prepare for their first-ever UEFA home fixture at the Europa Point Stadium for another historic night.
On February 25, 2025, Gibraltar’s WNT, led yet again by Shania Robba in her pioneering role as Gibraltar’s first-ever women’s captain in official UEFA competition, walked out on home soil with pride and passion. Once again, Gibraltar proved they were no pushovers, playing with determination, carving out opportunities, and pressing their opponents relentlessly.
The attacking trio of Caitlin Chapman, Joelle Gilbert, and Naomi Victor again posed a constant threat, stretching the Faroese defence and creating openings in the final third, while in midfield, Viagas and Salah El-Din continued to impress, controlling possession and linking up play superbly.
C. Robba would go on to have a standout showing in goal, pulling off acrobatic save after acrobatic save in defiance of the Faroese attack, with the defensive unit in front of her holding strong once again against the visiting side’s advances. With this being said however, just as in their debut match, Gibraltar was undone by a singular goal, this time coming against the run of play despite their dominance and spirited efforts.
Though the results may not have gone their way, Gibraltar’s debut in the UEFA Women’s Nations League was about far more than the scoreline. It was about proving that they belong on this stage, that they can compete, and that the future of women’s football in Gibraltar is bright.
Gibraltar Women’s National Team captain, Shania Robba, described her emotions: “I get emotional thinking about it, i’m just very proud of myself, I think if I were to tell my younger self anything it would be to keep dreaming because, you just need to look at how far women’s football has progressed since then and now there are people sort of looking up to me, I wish I would have had that growing up but look at how it has worked out for myself.
To be the captain is a huge honour, I just want to help the team out as much as possible and I feel ready to do so. I honestly still can’t believe it to be honest."
"I’ve been told numerous times that I would not be able to play again due to the injuries I’ve sustained previously, I went through a period of bad news after bad news for about two years, but now looking back at what I’ve overcome it just gives me that energy to continue.
I’m here, I’m getting a chance to experience this, I’ve worked so hard to get here, I genuinely feel like I’ve got nothing to lose and I have everything to give.
The journey is what makes it good, the journey makes it special.”
With standout performances across the pitch—from the resilience of the defensive line to the tireless work of the midfield and the attacking flair of the forwards—there was much to be proud of. These opening matches were just the beginning of a journey that promises to inspire generations to come.
Gibraltar’s WNT has arrived, and they are here to stay.
