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England have secured all three victories from three games in the Euro Qualifiers. Last night, they thrashed Malta at Ta’ Qali National Stadium in Malta. The Three Lions netted four goals to secure a comfortable 4-0 victory over the host. However, Trent Alexandre Arnold took all the focus for his brilliant performance. His new role in the midfield has made him better and better. Arnold scored a stunning goal and registered an assist on his name against Malta.
As it happened
England boss Gareth Southgate set up his team formation with 4-3-3, where Harry Kane led the attack with Bukayo Saka and James Maddison. However, he deployed Alexandre Arnold in the midfield along with Henderson and Declan Rice. Besides, Malta’s manager played his team in a 3-5-2 formation.
It took only eight minutes for the Three Lions to find the net. Malta defender Ferdinando Apap failed to clear Saka’s cross inside the box and put the ball into his own net. After that, Arnold doubled the lead for England. His stunning shot outside from the box beat Malta’s goalkeeper and found the net.
Skipper Harry Kane made the scoreline 3-0 in the first half. He netted the ball from the spot kick in the 31st minute. However, Malta couldn’t create many chances at their home ground. So the first half ended in 3-0.
Coming back from the break, England slowed down their game. Yet Malta couldn’t score against the Three Lions. Besides, Callum Wilson made the scoreline 4-0 with a goal from the spot kick. In the end, England won the game with a comfortable 4-0 margin.
Southgate Praises Arnold
England manager Gareth Southgate praises Trent Alexandre Arnold for his brilliant performance. The manager said, “What was pleasing tonight is that he’s getting used to receiving in tight areas with his back to goal and players behind him, whereas he is used to playing on the touchline, with the play in front of him. He was very comfortable doing that.”
Southgate added, “I’ve got no questions in my head. He can do it. It’s just learning some nuances of the role, without the ball especially, but he’s very keen to do it. He has enjoyed the project, if you like. We talked about it about four weeks ago on the phone and I think he’s been excited by it. He showed exactly what we think he could be capable of and he gives us something different to our other midfield players.”
The manager also talked about his players’ mentality of winning games. “Of course we know we have the quality to win the games, but it’s about your mentality then, and I thought that was excellent right from the start. In particular when we lost the ball, the reaction to winning it back was a sign that the team were in a good place mentally.”
