England cruised to a third consecutive victory in qualification for Euro 2024 with a 4-0 win in Malta.
It took only six minutes for the scoring to begin with a finely-crafted Trent Alexander-Arnold ball finding Bukayo Saka down the right, who crossed for Harry Kane to tap home but found Ferdinando Apap netting an own goal instead.
Kane was once again the target for the move that led to the second goal, James Maddison’s pass into the box deflected back to Alexander-Arnold.
Playing in midfield having excelled for Liverpool in a more advanced role lately, the 24-year-old oozed confidence and showed as much with a blistering strike from outside the box on 28 minutes.
Trent Alexander-Arnold that is OUTSTANDING 🤩
— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) June 16, 2023
Stop what you're doing and watch this 🔥#C4Football | #EURO2024 | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/Oc2ZmHJmot
Just 96 seconds later, it was 3-0. Kane was first to a rebound before being felled in the box, earning a penalty which he tucked away himself for 50 competitive international goals - another England record for the striker.
The second half drifted by with the visitors in cruise control, allowing Gareth Southgate to take off Kane, Luke Shaw and Saka early after an injury scare for the Arsenal winger. There was also a debut for Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze with 20 minutes to go.
Among the substitutes was Callum Wilson, who made it 4-0 in the final ten minutes after winning and scoring a penalty awarded via a harsh VAR review for Steve Borg’s handball.
England can take their next step towards next summer’s Euros in Germany when they host North Macedonia in Manchester on Monday.
