England tightened their grip on Euro 2024 qualifying Group C courtesy of a 4-0 win away to Malta on Friday with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold shining on his first worldwide begin for a yr.
The Liverpool proper again, deployed in a midfield position, scored one and was concerned in two different objectives earlier than halftime as England cruised within the Ta’ Qali National Stadium.
His raking go launched Bukayo Saka within the eighth minute together with his low cross being bundled in to his personal objective by Malta’s Ferdinando Apap underneath strain from Harry Kane.
Alexander-Arnold powered house a right-foot shot for England’s second within the twenty eighth minute and was additionally concerned within the transfer two minutes later that ended with Kane being tripped for a penalty he dispatched for his 56th England objective.
Malta dug in after halftime and have been extraordinarily unfortunate to concede a fourth with a ludicrously awarded penalty for handball transformed by substitute Callum Wilson after 83 minutes.
England have 9 factors from three video games, with Ukraine, Italy and North Macedonia all on three factors from two video games.
Manager Gareth Southgate left a clutch of Manchester City treble-winners on the bench after their exploits in Istanbul final Saturday with a number of gamers getting the possibility to impress.
Alexander-Arnold, who has struggled to carry down a beginning place underneath Southgate, definitely did that within the first half of what was solely his 18th cap since making his debut 5 years in the past.
“I enjoyed it. I love playing football and being on the pitch and representing my country,” he informed Channel 4.
“To play the full 90 minutes, I was happy. After the little break at the end of the season, it was about getting fitness back in my legs. I want to make sure I am regularly on the team sheet and today was a good foundation to build on.”
The number of his passing and energy down the suitable was a continuing menace and his go despatched Saka galloping away to tug a ball again in direction of Kane that was turned in by Apap.
His objective, his first aggressive one for England, demonstrated his capturing prowess and he proved a handful once more for the Malta defence as Kane earned the penalty with which he registered his fiftieth aggressive worldwide objective.
Saka was withdrawn at halftime with an ankle knock and changed by City’s Phil Foden whereas Eberechi Eze additionally earned a primary cap when he got here off the bench late on.
England’s fourth objective was terribly harsh on Malta’s Steve Borg who was adjudged to have dealt with Wilson’s shot regardless of his arms being by his sides.
Wilson didn’t care as he stroked house his penalty with Kane already off the pitch to grow to be the primary Newcastle participant to attain for England since Michael Owen in 2007.
England host North Macedonia on Monday when victory will give them one foot in subsequent yr’s finals.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
