Harry Kane and Callum Wilson scored from the penalty spot as England hammered Malta 4-0 to stay top of Qualifying Group C for UEFA Euro 2024.
Ferdinando Apap’s eighth minute own-goal from Bukayo Saka’s cutback pass put England in front, before Trent Alexander-Arnold doubled the visitors’ lead with a stunning 28th minute strike.
England’s victory was soon confirmed with Harry Kane’s 31st minute penalty after he had been fouled by Matthew Guillaumier, which marked his fifth goal in the Three Lions’ last five matches in all competitions.
Callum Wilson further consolidated the win with a 83rd minute penalty after his cross was handballed by Steve Borg.
England now sit top of Qualifying Group C on nine points ahead of second-placed Ukraine who beat North Macedonia 3-2 elsewhere.
Having been forced into four changes following the late arrivals of five Manchester City players for international duty – due to City’s treble title celebrations, England nevertheless quickly seized control of the match with possession.
Their early pressure almost paid off in the sixth minute but Kane’s shot was saved by Henry Bonello, who however was unable to prevent Apap’s own-goal as he deflected Saka’s cutback pass into his own net two minutes later.
Malta’s five-man defence however managed to keep England restricted for much of the opening 27 minutes, aside from Bonello’s save of James Maddison’s 23rd minute free-kick.
England however found a crucial second goal in the 28th minute as Steve Borg deflected Maddison’s pass into the path of Alexande-Arnold, from which the Liverpool right-back curled across into the left corner beyond Bonello’s reach.
Guillaumier then conceded a penalty to England with a reckless 30th minute foul on Kane as the pair chased after Bonello’s fumbled save of Declan Rice’s shot.
Kane dutily stepped up a minute later and smashed his penalty down the middle to put the Three Lions firmly on course for a third consecutive victory in their opening three Group C qualifiers, with their lead protected heading into half-time.
Saka however was substituted ahead of the second half with a knock and Foden replaced him in the line-up, which otherwise remained unchanged as the 23 year-old formed a front three with Kane and Maddison.
Foden’s introduction though came as England struggled to create many clear-cut chances in a sluggish second-half display, where the Three Lions were dominant in possession but Malta’s resilient defence prevented any meaningful chances.
The breakthrough moment of the second half eventually came in the 81st minute when referee, Igor Pajac was instructed by Video-Assistant Referee (VAR) to conduct the screen for a potential penalty, after Wilson’s cross was handballed by Borg.
England eventually cruised to victory to put automatic qualification firmly in their hands heading into the final three international windows of this calendar year, which all fall in the autumn.
What’s Next?
England host North Macedonia at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Monday 19 June with kick-off at 7:45pm BST.
Malta meanwhile play Ukraine away in the other Group C qualifier at the same time that evening.
Teams
Malta: Henry Bonello, Zach Muscat, Ferdinando Apap, Steve Borg, Joseph Mbong, Bjorn Kristensen (N.Muscat 60′), Matthew Guillaumier (Yankam 45′), Teddy Teuma, Cain Attard (Corbolan 87′), Jodi Jones (Degabriele 77′), Kyrian Nwoko (Satariano 60′)
Substitutes: Matthew Grech, Matthias Debono, Ryan Camenzuli, Kurt Shaw, Jake Grech, Alexander Satariano, Juan Corbolan, Nikolai Muscat, Jurgen Degabriele, Yannick Yankam, Shaun Dimech, Jean Borg
England: Jordan Pickford, Kieran Trippier, Marc Guehi, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw (Mings 59′), Declan Rice, Jordan Henderson (Rashford 59′), Trent Alexander-Arnold, Bukayo Saka (Foden 45′), Harry Kane (Wilson 59′), James Maddison (Eze 69′)
Substitutes: Kyle Walker, Aaron Ramsdale, John Stones, Kalvin Phillips, Jack Grealish, Tyrone Mings, Marcus Rashford, Conor Gallagher, Phil Foden, Eberechi Eze, Sam Johnstone, Callum Wilson
Referee: Igor Pajac (Croatia)