Lacklustre England see off Malta as Kane strikes

England’s striker #09 Harry Kane shoots past Malta’s goalkeeper #01 Henry Bonello and scores his team second goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group C qualifying football match between England and Malta, at Wembley stadium, in north London, on November 17, 2023. (Photo by HENRY NICHOLLS / AFP)

Harry Kane scored his 62nd goal for England to ensure Gareth Southgate’s lacklustre side clinched an uninspired 2-0 win against Malta in Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier.

England had already qualified for the European Championship with two games to spare, but they are bidding to secure a place among the top seeds in Germany by winning Group C in style.

Only the top five best performing nations throughout the qualifying campaign will be top seeded in next month’s Euro draw.

Unbeaten England have six wins and a draw in the group after Enrico Pepe’s early own goal and Kane’s second half strike settled a drab encounter at Wembley.

A victory in their final qualifier in North Macedonia on Monday would achieve England’s top-seeding target, with a point possibly enough depending on other results.

Given Malta’s lowly 171st place in FIFA’s world rankings, this was by far England’s least impressive performance in a qualifying campaign that has otherwise been plain sailing.

Conor Gallagher was taken off at half-time after a tepid display, while Marcus Rashford’s Manchester United struggles continued for England.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the few bright spots playing in a midfield role instead of the right-back berth he occupies for Liverpool.

“If you don’t start games well, it’s very difficult to pick it up and we didn’t. We know the level we’ve got should be better,” Southgate said.

“Not enough quality on the ball and not enough chances created. We