16 June 2023 , 21:10
667
0
It was so easy the majority of the away end had left before the final whistle.
The 4,100 travelling fans had treated a trip to Malta as something of a stag weekend and most of them could not wait to get back to the bar for another pint.
They had seen enough and you could not really blame them because Trent Alexander-Arnold had already made his point with a glimpse of his midfield potential for England.
Two years ago, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was highly critical of Gareth Southgate’s treatment of Alexander-Arnold and could not understand why he used the “best right back in the world” in midfield against Andorra in September 2021. Now, Southgate does not look so daft after all because Alexander-Arnold is playing further forward for Liverpool - albeit as an inverted full back - and ran the game in midfield for England.
Alexander-Arnold scored a 25-yard screamer, played a part in another goal as England took a very comfortable step towards Euro 2024 with a third straight win in Group C.
Ten Hag has dream Man Utd line up as last-gasp January transfers are secured
There was also more history for Harry Kane who scored his record-extending 56th goal for England and became the first player to score 50 competitive goals for the Three Lions. Mind you, calling this game competitive is pushing it.
And that is why it is hard to make too much of a judgement on Alexander-Arnold and whether him playing as a conventional midfielder for England is a viable long term option.
One thing is for certain and that is Alexander-Arnold has been criminally underused by England and Southgate because he has won just 19 caps since making his senior debut five years ago.
Southgate handed Alexander-Arnold licence to roam against Malta - who did little to stop him (PA)Alexander-Arnold, with those socks rolled down to his ankles, is quite clearly one of England’s most naturally gifted players, arguably the best passer in the squad and, if you give him the time and the opportunity, he can destroy opponents.
Malta, 172nd in FIFA’s world rankings, just stood off and admired while better teams might have closed him down a lot quicker.
But then Malta also scored an own goal, conceded two penalties and made life easy for an England side which took the foot off the gas and were able to ring the changes and give players a breather before facing North Macedonia on Monday.
It was all too easy for the Three Lions (The FA via Getty Images)That will certainly be a tougher test at Old Trafford because England broke the deadlock in Malta after just eight minutes. It was Alexander-Arnold’s lovely curling ball over the top to release Bukayo Saka down the right.
Saka’s cross was bound for Kane in the middle but Malta defender Ferdinando Apap slid in and put through his own net.
England got their second after 28 minutes. Malta captain Steve Borg’s clearance felt invitingly for Alexander-Arnold and the Liverpool star curled a stunning 25 yard shot past the keeper and into the top corner.
Malta’s Matthew Guillaumier’s clumsy challenge brought down Kane who then stepped up to smash home the penalty and another goal after 31 minutes.
Man Utd use emergency transfer protocol as Ten Hag learns Osimhen asking price
England rang the changes as the game wore on and the game lost its rhythm. Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze came on for his England debut and Phil Foden was the only Manchester City player to get on.
The travelling fans who did stay until the end were rewarded with a fourth goal as VAR ruled Borg handled it and substitute Callum Wilson scored from the spot to complete the rout.