The Three Lions continue their quest to win Euro 2024 tonight with their third qualifier, on the small Mediterranean island of Malta. The National Stadium in Ta’Qali plays host to a game that England are expected to win, and win big.
Gareth Southgate will leave his five Manchester City treble winners out of his team for today’s game having answered questions on Jack Grealish’s enthusiastic celebrations last night. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been elevated to a midfield role while Harry Kane will to lead the line flanked by Bukayo Saka and James Maddison.
England have won back-to-back games to kick off their Group C campaign with arguably their toughest tests, against Italy and Ukraine, already faced. It has been a gruelling season and Southgate’s stars will want a comfortable night before facing North Macedona on Monday. Follow Malta vs England LIVE via Standard Sport’s matchday blog, featuring Dan Kilpatrick’s expert analysis from Ta’Qali.
Live updates
25 mins: Malta 0-1 England
Malta make a rare foray forward but Jones fails to win a foul before a clip forward is gobbled up by Shaw.
Normal service quickly resumes.
23 mins: Malta 0-1 England
Shooting chance for Maddison, 30 yards from goal with a free kick to the left of the goal.
It’s on target but right down Brello’s throat.
Dan Kilpatrick in Malta
England are moving the ball around really crisply in the middle third but just lacking the final pass against a Malta side who have already reverted to damage limitation.
Alexander-Arnold and Maddison, who both have a point to prove, are looking especially sharp.
19 mins: Malta 0-1 England
The visitors are doing a good job of switching play and testing Malta across the breadth of the pitch. That should help tire them out and open up chances later on as well.
17 mins: Malta 0-1 England
Trippier looks early for Saka down the right and, with plenty of space to hit, the full-back’s ball goes too deep. The keeper claims.
14 mins: Malta 0-1 England
The Three Lions are settling into cruise control with a bit of scrappiness in their play on this bouncy pitch.
Still plenty of intent for a second goal, though.
Dan Kilpatrick in Malta
A really encouraging start from Alexander-Arnold who sprayed the ball to Saka from deep, creating England’s opener.
Knowing Kane, he will be furious that Apap took the ball right off his foot for the own goal!
GGOOOAAALLL!!! Malta 0-1 England
SAKA SETS UP AN OWN GOAL!
Delightful ball down the right flank by Alexander-Arnold finds the winger, who sends it a fine low cross that Kane is ready to tap home… but Apap gets there first!
England lead.
6 mins: Malta 0-0 England
A first England corner sees Maguire take a tumble in the box – nothing like a penalty, though.
Kane gets a chance from the reload and tests Bonello with a low strike before a foul on the goalkeeper as he spilled the ball.
4 mins: Malta 0-0 England
A bit of a stop-start opening with a couple of fouls and delays.
Maddison takes a moment to tie up his shoelaces before, a moment or two later, fouling a defender as the ball is cleared.
