England tightened its grip at the top of Group C in the Euro 2024 football qualifiers with a 4-0 victory over Malta in a match featuring an outstanding performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold in his first international start in a year. The Liverpool full-back, who played in midfield, scored one goal and contributed to two others before halftime at the national stadium.
In the eighth minute, he played a pass to Bukayo Saka, who delivered a low cross that Ferdinando Apap accidentally scored into his own net under pressure from Harry Kane. Alexander-Arnold netted the second goal with a right-footed shot in the 28th minute and was involved in the buildup to the penalty from which Kane scored his 56th goal for England in the 31st minute.
Malta improved in the second half but was unfortunate to concede a fourth goal from a penalty converted by substitute Callum Wilson in the 83rd minute. With this victory, England reaches nine points from three matches, while Ukraine, Italy, and North Macedonia each have three points from two matches. Malta sits at the bottom of the table without any points after three matches.
