Pieros Sotiriou scored a late winner to spare Cyprus’ blushes on Friday night after a less than encouraging 2-1 victory at tiny Andorra.
Cyprus had started the stronger side and taken an early lead when Constantinos Charalambides’ chip was accidentally flicked on by Roy Chipolina. Gibraltar – who were hosting the game in Portugal – managed to level when Anthony Hernandez managed to evade his marker to equalise on 30 minutes.
Gibraltar continued to knock on Constantinos Panagi’s goal for most of the second half until Cyprus upped their tempo in the final ten minutes. Costas Laifis, Andreas Makris and Sotiriou all went close before Sotiriou – who recently sealed a move to FC Copenhagen from APOEL – rose above his marker to head Jason Demetriou’s cross into the Gibraltar goal.
Both sides had chances with both Cyprus and Gibraltar striking the woodwork while Sotiriou had two goals ruled out for offside.
Christakis Christoforou’s Cyprus now have seven points in their group and next face Bosnia on September 6 in a game which will see Laifis suspended.