Skip to main content
Published 16 June 2023 5 min read
England Men's Senior Team

Malta 0-4 England - UEFA European Qualifier match centre

Written by:

Oli Dickson Jefford

  • B. Kristensen (49′)
FULL TIME
UEFA EURO 2024 Qualifying Group C
Friday 16 June, 07:45 PM Ta'Qali National Stadium
Malta
0 4
HT: 0 - 3
The England men's logo
  • F. Apap (8′OG)
  • T. Alexander-Arnold (28′)
  • H. Kane (31′PEN)
  • C. Wilson (83′PEN)

The Three Lions continued their impressive start to EURO 2024 qualifying with a comfortable victory over Malta

17 Jun 2023 1:58

Highlights: Malta 0-4 England


See the best of the action from as the Three Lions take the points in Ta'Qali

 Harry Kane celebrates his goal against Malta, which was his 56th for the Three Lions
Harry Kane celebrates his goal against Malta, which was his 56th for the Three Lions
England maintained their unblemished UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying record with ease on Friday night as Gareth Southgate’s side eased to a 4-0 victory over hosts Malta at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium.

Ferdinando Apap’s own goal put England in front inside ten minutes, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-range effort and a Harry Kane penalty making it 3-0 before half time.

And substitute Callum Wilson scored England’s fourth with just ten minutes left, also slotting home from the spot.

England were on top early on with Kane having the first real opening six minutes in, his low shot across goal stopped by Maltese ‘keeper Henry Bonello.
And three minutes after that the Three Lions were in front, Apap turning Bukayo Saka’s cross into his own net under pressure from Kane.

Despite facing immense pressure, the hosts did well to nullify England in the following 15 minutes, with a James Maddison free-kick easily dealt with by Bonello the most obvious opportunity.

However, just before the half hour mark, Alexander-Arnold capped his strong start to the match with a stunning strike, powering home from 25 yards out.

It was 3-0 just three minutes later through record goalscorer Kane, who smashed a penalty into the centre of the goal after being brought down chasing the rebound of a Declan Rice effort.

Saka nearly made it four shortly before half-time through England’s final chance of the half, though his fierce strike was palmed away by Bonello.
 James Maddison at full stretch as he looks to control the ball
James Maddison at full stretch as he looks to control the ball
Maddison proved a bright spark throughout the match and had the first real chance of the second half, though his shot had any sting taken out of it by Malta’s defence and Bonello was able to claim comfortably.

And Kane nearly added his second just shy of the hour mark, though he scuffed his attempted chip and saw his shot drift wide.

Substitutes Marcus Rashford and Wilson threatened after they were brought on but the Maltese defence proved tricky to break down, as Eberechi Eze was brought on for his senior debut with 20 minutes left.

But England were ultimately able to add another from the penalty spot, after a handball was given against Malta captain Steve Borg following a VAR check.

Wilson, whose cross Borg had handled just inside the 18-yard box, stepped up to take on penalty duties in the absence of the substituted Kane and fired into the corner to round off a comfortable evening.
 Trent Alexander-Arnold scored England's third goal to put them in control
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored England's third goal to put them in control

Match Line Up

England: 1. Jordan Pickford; 2. Kieran Trippier, 5. Marc Guehi, 6. Harry Maguire, 3. Luke Shaw; 4. Declan Rice, 8. Jordan Henderson, 10. Trent Alexander-Arnold; 7. Bukayo Saka, 9. Harry Kane (c), 11. James Maddison.

Substitutes: 20. Phil Foden for Saka 46’, 17. Tyrone Mings for Shaw 60’, 18. Marcus Rashford for Henderson 60’, 23. Callum Wilson for Kane 60’, 21. Eberechi Eze for Maddison 70’

Substitutes not used: 12. Kyle Walker, 13. Aaron Ramsdale, 14. John Stones, 15. Kalvin Phillips, 16. Jack Grealish, 19. Conor Gallagher, 22. Sam Johnstone

Goals: Apap (OG) 9’ Alexander-Arnold 28’, Kane (p) 31’

Malta: 1. Henry Bonello; 13. Ferdinando Apap, 4. Steve Borg, 2. Cain Attard; 7. Joseph Mbong, 6. Matthew Guillaumier, 10. Teddy Teuma, 19. Bjorn Kristensen, 22. Zach Muscat; 9. Kyrian Nwoko, 11. Jodi Jones

Substitutes: 20. Yannick Yankam for Guillaumier 46’, 17. Nikolai Muscat for Kristensen 60’, 14. Alexander Satariano for Nwoko 60’, 18. Jurgen Degabriele for Jones 77’, 15. Juan Corbalan for Attard 88’

Substitutes not used: 12. Matthew Grech, 16. Matthias Debono, 3. Ryan Camenzuli, 5. Kurt Shaw, 8. Jake Grech, 21. Shaun Dimech, 23. Jean Borg
-->