Harry Kane added to his record-breaking goal tally for England as they cruised to a 4-0 win over Malta in their European Championship qualifying match.
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Kane, who became England’s all-time leading scorer in March by surpassing Wayne Rooney’s record of 53 goals, extended his total to 56 goals. His 50th goal in competitive matches came from a penalty kick in the 31st minute of the Euro qualifiers. He contributed to England’s commanding 3-0 halftime lead at the TaQali National Stadium. The other goals came from an own goal by Ferdinando Apap and a spectacular strike by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Callum Wilson sealed the Euro qualifiers win by converting a second penalty.
With three consecutive wins in Group C, England has maintained a perfect start to their 2024 Euro qualifiers. Italy, the defending European champion, also resides in the same group.
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Considering Malta’s ranking at 172nd in the world, England was heavily favoured to secure a comfortable victory. The match’s outcome was almost certain from the eighth minute when Apap unintentionally scored an own goal while defending against Kane.
Alexander-Arnold, wearing the number 10 shirt and playing in a midfield role due to Jude Bellingham’s absence, doubled the lead with an impressive goal. Collecting the ball 25 yards out, he unleashed a powerful shot that eluded Malta goalkeeper Henry Bonello. This marked Alexander-Arnold’s first competitive goal for the national team.
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Kane earned a penalty when he was fouled by Matthew Guillaumier inside the box, and he calmly converted the resulting spot kick.
In the closing stages of the 2024 Euro qualifiers match, another penalty was awarded after Wilson’s cross struck Steve Borg, and the substitute striker made no mistake in converting the penalty.
