Ta' Qali (Malta): England tightened their grip on Euro 2024 qualifying Group C courtesy of a 4-0 win away to Malta on Friday with Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold shining on his first international start for a year.
The Liverpool right-back, deployed in a midfield role, scored one and was involved in two other goals before half-time as England cruised in the Ta' Qali National Stadium.
His raking pass released Bukayo Saka in the eighth minute with his low cross being bundled in to his own goal by Malta's Ferdinando Apap under pressure from Harry Kane.
Alexander-Arnold powered home a right-foot shot for England's second in the 28th minute and was also involved in the move two minutes later that ended with Kane being tripped for a penalty he dispatched for his 56th England goal.
Malta dug in after half-time and were extremely unlucky to concede a fourth with a ludicrously awarded penalty for handball converted by substitute Callum Wilson after 83 minutes.
England have nine points from three games, with Ukraine, Italy and North Macedonia all on three points from two games.
Manager Gareth Southgate left a clutch of Manchester City treble-winners on the bench after their exploits in Istanbul last Saturday with several players getting the chance to impress.
Alexander-Arnold, who has struggled to hold down a starting place under Southgate, certainly did that in the first half of what was only his 18th cap since making his debut five years ago.
France maintained their perfect run in the qualifying campaign as they beat Gibraltar 3-0 on Friday to top Group B.
Didier Deschamps' men earned their third straight win to top the group with nine points, three ahead of Greece whom they host on Monday. Bottom-placed Gibraltar will travel to Ireland, with both teams seeking to earn their first points.
France took the lead inside three minutes as the country's leading scorer Oliver Giroud headed home Kingsley Coman's cross for his 54th international goal.
The AC Milan striker also became France's third-most capped player equalling Thierry Henry with 123 appearances.
Captain Kylian Mbappe doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before half-time and his pass into the six-yard box in the 78th minute led to an own goal from Aymen Mouelhi to make it 3-0.
Results: Group B: Gibraltar lost to France 0-3; Greece bt Republic of Ireland 2-1
Group C: Malta lost to England 0-4; North Macedonia lost to Ukraine 2-3
Group D: Latvia lost to Tukey 2-3; Wales lost to Armenia 2-4
Group H: Denmark bt Northern Ireland 1-0; Finland bt Slovenia 2-0; San Marino lost to Kazakhstan 2-3
Group I: Andorra lost to Switzerland 1-2; Belarus lost to Israel 1-2; Kosovo drew with Romania 0-0
