Summary

  • England cruise to 4-0 win over Malta to stay top of Group C

  • Kane penalty, Alexander-Arnold stunner and own goal put England 3-0 up inside 31 minutes

  • Wilson added late penalty as Three Lions continued 100% record in qualifying

  • Crystal Palace forward Eze made debut as second-half substitute

  1. Elsewhere in Europepublished at 20:19 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    The Republic of Ireland are level in Greece with Nathan Collins' goal eventually given afrer a long VAR check for offside.

    Follow that game here.

    But Wales now trail Armenia 2-1 at home with teenager Grant-Leon Ranos putting the visitors ahead.

    Live text of that here.

  2. goal

    GOAL - Malta 0-3 Englandpublished at 20:18 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Harry Kane (31 mins)

    A 50th competitive goal for England for record scorer Harry Kane and there was never a doubt.

    He thumps it straight down the middle and under the crossbar.

    A lovely spot kick and England are well in control in Malta.

    Harry KaneImage source, Reuters
  3. 'You knew what was coming next'published at 20:17 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Malta 0-2 England

    Matthew Upson
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    As soon as you see the ball come onto the right foot of Trent Alexander-Arnold, you almost know what's coming next.

    Lovely strike from him. It sat up lovely. He was winding it up with his right foot and just pulls it across his body into that far corner.

    His first touch is not great but doesn't he just adapt brilliantly.

  4. PENALTY - Englandpublished at 29 mins

    Malta 0-2 England

    Harry Kane is brought down by Matthew Guillaumier in the box as he tries to get on the end of a rebound.

    Penalty to England.

  5. goal

    GOAL - Malta 0-2 Englandpublished at 20:15 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Trent Alexander-Arnold (28 mins)

    What a goal!

    Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a very good performance so far in that number 10 role and this tops it off.

    It's excellent from James Maddison in the build-up. He drops a shoulder and lets the ball run past him, taking out two players in the process.

    It's poked on to Alexander-Arnold outside the box and he absolutely smashes it into the corner from 25 yards out. A beauty.

    Trent Alexander-ArnoldImage source, Reuters
  6. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 20:13 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    #bbcfootball, text 81111 (UK only - standard rates apply) or WhatsApp 03301231826

    We used to watch football to be entertained. Not with Southgate's England. They are so boring. Slow, no energy. Lately, I have been suffering from insomnia but this team are helping to cure that.

    Anon

  7. Postpublished at 26 mins

    Malta 0-1 England

    A roar from the home fans as Jodi Jones goes on a mazy run through the middle in an attempt to take Malta up the pitch.

    They get numbers forward but Jones goes to ground in a challenge with Jordan Henderson. He lost the ball more than anything and England regain possession.

  8. Postpublished at 23 mins

    Malta 0-1 England

    James Maddison wins the free-kick so earns the right to take it. He goes for goal, curling it over the wall, but it's a tame effort in the end.

    Declan RiceImage source, Reuters
  9. Elsewhere in Europepublished at 20:09 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Armenia are level against Wales with Argentine-born MLS player Lucas Zelarayan volleying in for 1-1.

    Follow that here.

  10. 'England can't get complacent'published at 20:09 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Malta 0-1 England

    Matthew Upson
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    I think once you get that goal, now more so than 0-0, the attention to detail and tempo [are crucial]. Maybe being a bit more aggressive or taking a risk. You can't relax too much and you've got to keep that edge to your play.

  11. Postpublished at 22 mins

    Malta 0-1 England

    James Maddison might have a few bruises after tonight. He wins another free-kick just outside the box, this time caught late by Ferdinando Apap.

    Trent Alexander-Arnold, Maddison and Kieran Trippier might fight each other for it.

    EnglandImage source, Reuters
  12. Postpublished at 20 mins

    Malta 0-1 England

    A nice turn from James Maddison as he pulls two defenders towards him, spins and lays it off to Jordan Henderson on the left.

    Henderson tries to clip it back into the box but there's not enough on it.

  13. Postpublished at 20:06 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Malta 0-1 England

    Alex Howell
    Football reporter at Ta' Qali National Stadium

    You can see the thinking of playing Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right of England's midfield three.

    He's picking the ball up in similar areas to when he plays in his new role at Liverpool.

    It's a team England should dominate but it will be interesting to see how this develops over the long-term in his international career.

  14. Postpublished at 18 mins

    Malta 0-1 England

    Kyrian Nwoko tries to beat Harry Maguire to a long ball but the England centre-back is fouled to win a free-kick.

    Harry MaguireImage source, PA Media
  15. Elsewhere in Europepublished at 20:04 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Greece lead the Republic of Ireland 1-0 with Tasos Bakasetas scoring a penalty after VAR had spotted a Callum O'Dowda handball.

    Follow that one here.

  16. 'England are comfortable'published at 20:04 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Malta 0-1 England

    Matthew Upson
    Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

    They are able to find a little bit of space, especially across the backline and into midfield. England are looking very comfortable.

  17. Postpublished at 17 mins

    Malta 0-1 England

    Trent Alexander-ArnoldImage source, Reuters

    Trent Alexander-Arnold and Bukayo Saka have seen plenty of the ball for England. They look most dangerous down the right-hand side with Alexander-Arnold finding pockets of space in the middle and linking up with Saka effectively.

  18. Postpublished at 15 mins

    Malta 0-1 England

    Malta settle with a few minutes of possession but they are under pressure from England's press.

    It goes back to the goalkeeper before James Maddison tries to flick it over the top for Harry Kane.

  19. Postpublished at 12 mins

    Malta 0-1 England

    Bukayo Saka cuts onto his left foot and tries to find the far corner but he's leaning back and it's way over.

    The full-back is going to have a long night.

    Bukayo Saka and Harry KaneImage source, Reuters
  20. Elsewhere in Europepublished at 19:58 British Summer Time 16 June 2023

    Nottingham Forest's Remo Freuler has put Switzerland 1-0 ahead against Andorra.

    Ex-Forest keeper Brice Samba is making his France debut against Gibraltar by the way.

    Oh and Daniel James has given Wales a 1-0 lead against Armenia. Follow that one here.