England sweep Malta aside in comfortable island breeze

It is the tournament qualification that has come to feel impossible for England to miss – and not only because of their victory over Italy in Naples in March’s opening tie, although that plainly helps. The top two nations in this five-team group will advance to Euro 2024 in Germany and there is even a possible safety net via the Nations League.

And so, with Ukraine beaten at Wembley in the second game, England had this stroll to another victory, another step closer to the inevitable, against limited opposition in the shape of Malta. The hosts are 172nd in the Fifa rankings and there is a reason why they have won only seven qualifying ties in 61 years of trying.

This went pretty much as everybody thought it would go, elite level players against a group that are several notches below and, for the clearest example of the gulf in class, nobody inside this small but sprawling venue needed to look too far beyond the figure in the England No 10 shirt.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was given an opportunity in midfield by Gareth Southgate and he responded with a performance that showcased his near unique ability on the ball. His passing was on point, together with his reading of the spaces and there was also a vicious long -range blast for England’s second goal. Yes, it was only Malta but it was a reminder, up and close and personal for Southgate, as to what he can bring.

After an early Ferdinando Apap own goal, England would add two penalties, one from Harry Kane, the second from the substitute Callum Wilson. The star of the show, however, was clear.

It is the middle of June, the Ashes have started and yet this seemingly eternal season staggers on – nearly three weeks after the finale to the Premier League campaign. It will not end for