Kyle Lafferty attempts to control a cross, it runs to Stuart Dallas but the Leeds winger is offside. Over 16 minutes gone. The longer it goes on at 0-0, the tenser things might get. But we're not at that stage yet obviously.

Malta have conceded an average of 2.9 goals per game in their last 10 World Cup qualifiers. It looked like England would keep that average up with a couple of early chances but the tempo has gone down a bit now. England passing the ball around, trying to wear down their opponents at the moment.

Josh Magennis takes an ambitious shot from the right-hand side of the box. You're going to struggle to score from there, regardless of the opposition.

Chris Brunt's ball down the left is just too hard for Conor Washington and goes out for a goal kick. Northern Ireland have had 75% of the ball but no shots on target in the opening 12 minutes.

Dele Alli is playing just behind Harry Kane tonight and he gets his first opportunity with 10 minutes on the clock as Jordan Henderson's crosses low first time from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cutback, but Alli's scoops his shot over the bar.

San Marino have a scoring chance here. Filippo Berardi gets the ball on the left wing, cuts inside past a couple of defenders and lets a poor 20-yard shot fly well wide.

They won't get too many more tonight surely.

Berardi is on the books of Serie A club Torino, out on loan with Juve Stabia.

Terry Butcher
Ex-England captain in Malta for 5 live

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain looks alright out on that right wing. He seems lively, full of confidence and he's got licence to stay that far forward.

Malta players are getting stuck in, both Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling are given reminders they won't be in for an easy night with a couple of robust challenges.

As expected, the hosts are defending deep with England seeing almost all of the ball the moment.

Image source, Getty Images

Oliver Norwood has a chance for Northern Ireland but his looping header from the edge of the box goes over the bar.

Germany have an early lead in the Czech Republic. Mesut Ozil assists Timo Werner to score the opener.

Scotland's game against Lithuania is under way.

We'll keep you up to date with the goals there but we have a dedicated page for that game here.

Jonny Evans almost gets caught dawdling on the ball after a needless aerial one-two with keeper Michael McGovern. And now Chris Brunt knocks the ball out for a throw-in under no pressure.

The green and white army are making a decent noise in San Marino.

Spindler Bobbins: C'mon 'arry, it's September now so time get yer goals.

Andrew Hogg is a busy man! This time the Malta shotstopper does well to thump away Harry Kane's point-blank header.

Kane must think it's still August.

Northern Ireland's first chance. They have a corner which Josh Magennis knocks back to Steven Davis and the captain's 20-yard volley fizzes wide.

Gary Flintoff
BBC Radio 5 live in Malta

There is a real sense that this is the biggest football match in years here in Malta. All the seats have been sold and there is a real party atmosphere inside the Ta' Qali National Stadium.

Barely two minutes on the clock and England should be ahead.

Harry Kane plays a great ball through the defence for Raheem Sterling. The forward has a clear shot on goal but hesitates and Malta keeper Andrew Hogg races off his line to gather at Sterling's feet. Should have scored.

Jonny Evans pings a long ball forward for Northern Ireland but it bounces straight out of play. Two minutes in and no goal conceded yet. Good start for the hosts.

PEEP!

We're under way.

Malta: Hogg, Steve Borg, Zach Muscat, Agius, Magri, Zerafa, Pisani, Kristensen, Ryan Fenech, Farrugia, Schembri. Subs: Bonello, Alex Muscat, Failla, Paul Fenech, Mifsud, Gambin, Clyde Borg, Ryan Camilleri, Johnson.

England: Hart, Jones, Bertrand, Walker, Cahill, Sterling, Livermore, Alli, Henderson, Kane, Oxlade-Chamberlain. Subs: Butland, Smalling, Cresswell, Keane, Stones, Chalobah, Defoe, Sturridge, Welbeck, Vardy, Rashford, Heaton.

Referee: Artur Soraes Dias (Portugal)

Here we go...