World Cup Qualifiers: Late Goal Glut Saves England’s Blushes After Mediocre Display Against Malta (Video)

Alan Duffy

1st, September 2017

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England toiled away to minnows Malta on Friday night, with three late goals flattering Gareth Southgate’s men in a 4-0 win.

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Starting with Jake Livermore in midfield and new Liverpool signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain out wide, England struggled to find a way past an organised and combative Maltese side in the first-half.

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At the break, Marcus Rashford replaced the ineffective Raheem Sterling and the Man Utd man’s pace kickstarted the visitors’ performance.

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It took until the 53rd minute for the Three Lions to finally make the breakthrough, with Harry Kane firing home from close-range after being set up by Spurs teammate Dele Alli.

However, the failed to open the floodgates for England until the final five minutes, with Ryan Bertrand making it 2-0 via a long-range effort which ‘keeper Andrew Hogg failed to deal with.

Sub Danny Welbeck then scored courtesy of a smart finish from a Kane assist.

Finally, Kane himself got his second of the game after a fine pass from Rashford, who ignored calls to kick the ball out of play with a Maltese player down injured.

The 4-0 win sees the English stay top of Group F, two points clear of Slovakia.

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However, the disappointing display is sure to have concerned Southgate ahead of Russia next summer, where there won’t be many minnows waiting for them.

Posted in International football, Videos, World Cup

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