England 2-0 Malta – Euro 2024 qualifying: Harry Kane is booked for diving and denied a penalty – despite replays appearing to show he was fouled – as hosts lead through an own goal

Interesting decision, it seemed like there was an offside in the build up!

But following a VAR check it seems Rice’s thumping strike from outside the penalty area will be disallowed!

Declan Rice with his fourth goal for England!

It’s a great team move and Harry Kane gets his 62nd goal for England.

After a bit of injection of pace from Walker, he finds Foden at the 18-yard line who feeds the ball to Saka inside the box.

The Arsenal man crosses to the captain, who dinks the ball into the back of the net.

A great passage of play from England moving the ball very nicely.

Despite losing the ball in the middle of the pitch, Palmer has looked good since coming on for England.

Rice too has helped steady things in midfield, giving Alexander-Arnold more opportunities to move forwards.

Seems like the fans are starting to grow a little bored heree throwing paper aeroplanes onto the field.

Meanwhile, the fourth official has darted across the middle of the field to help the linesman on the far side of the pitch, who’s flag has fallen apart!

A little bit of tape remedies the issue and we’re back underway!

He’s won a free-kick in a great position here after trying to weave his way around several Malta defenders.

Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden are stood over the ball, with Foden flicking the ball behind him to widen the angle.

The Liverpool star puts his laces through the ball sending his shot wildly over the bar.

That sums up England’s performance tonight.

Kane was pulled down inside the penalty area by the Malta goalkeeper but was awarded a yellow card for diving!

If you missed it, check out the incident below…

He’s the 60th debutant under Gareth Southgate!

Palmer will come on for Rashford, following his injury.

Meanwhile, Rice will come on for Henderson in midfield.

Meanwhile, Guillaumier has departed the field for Kristensen.

While Mbong coming on for Jones.

After nearly setting up Saka, Rashford looks to have copped a pretty nasty injury here.

He collided with Alexander-Arnold who steamed in to win a challenge, colliding with his England team-mate.

The Man United forward has stayed down for a few minutes here and will come off the field.

Meanwhile, Cole Palmer and Declan Rice are both about to come on for England.

I think so! Foden charges upfield and finds Rashford on his left, who skirts into the box before going to ground after clashing with two Malta defenders.

Surprisingly, the referee awards a free-kick to Malta, but it looked like obstruction against Rashford in the penalty area.

England have endured the majority of possession in the opening few minutes of the second half.

Trippier and Rashford link up nicely down the left, but the wing-back just puts too much on the pass for the Man United forward, with the ball narrowly going out of play.

The Chelsea star is currently on the bench and is poised, alongside Rico Lewis and Ezri Konsa, to make his debut for the England senior side tonight.

England get us back underway and Southgate has made a couple of changes at half-time.

Walker is on for Gallagher, while Saka has come on for Tomori.

It looks like Foden could move the middle of the pitch, with Trippier moving to the left-back position.

Wembley paid tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton ahead of the match.

Fans held up a mural that read ‘Sir Bobby’ as Wembley observed a minute’s applause for the England legend.

VAR is in use at Wembley for tonight’s match, but it was interesting that the video official did not step in following Kane’s yellow card.

Let me know what you think in the comments?

Not the start Gareth Southgate would have wanted from England.

They’ve lacked a lot of quality on the ball and have been slow to get going.

Malta meanwhile have got into dangerous positions with England largely stepping off their opponents, who have had three attempts on goal to England’s none.

Kane has looked England’s best player tonight and will feel aggrieved that he wasn’t awarded a penalty.

He was instead booked for diving after he was taken down inside the Malta penalty area by Bonello.

And pundits in the Channel 4 studio agreed that it was the wrong decision.

Jermain Defoe said to Channel 4: ‘When I first saw it it was a penalty. But when it’s slowed down here. Harry is very clever to stick his leg out. I don’t think it’s a yellow card.’

Joe Cole added: ‘Harry’s bought it. In the rules of the game it’s a penalty. The ref got that one wrong I think.’

Not the performance England fans may have been expecting.

An own goal from Pepe separates the two sides tonight, but England really will need to step things up here.

Federico Chiesa has doubled Italy’s lead with Italy going second in the group.

Meanwhile, we’ll have one minute of added time here at Wembley.

Here’s the goal that put England 1-0 up against Malta.

The England striker has been everywhere tonight.

He recovers the ball in his own half before spraying a lovely ball to Rashford on the left side.

He takes on a defender but just loses the ball with it going out for a corner.

Foden whips the ball in but Guehi goes to ground with the referee giving Malta a free-kick.

It was a good bit of play from England, who took the free-kick quickly before passing the ball upfield.

Alexander-Arnold finds himself on the edge of the penalty area in plenty of space but swipes his effort way over the cross-bar.

The ball is swung in and Maguire knocks it off to Gallagher.

The Chelsea midfielder uses his pace to glide past Guillaumier, who pulls him down to receive a yellow card

Foden is over the ball and sends a cross in.

But England can’t get a head to the ball, with Malta goalkeeper Bonello plucking it out of the air.

Meanwhile, Malta have gone down the other end of the field and have a corner themselves!

It’s been an odd start for England who have really lacked a lot of pace and quality on the ball.

They’ve got into good positions, pressing upfield to feed the ball into the box, but haven’t really threatened, having failed to have an attempt on goal.

They’ve allowed Malta to press on them too, being slow to press on the visitors, allowing them to get into some good positions around the field.

That decision will certainly increase his appetite to score, with Kane coming back to recover the ball before driving upfield.

He’s been in brilliant form for Bayern Munich, racking up some big numbers at the new season, scoring 17 goals in the Bundesliga and four in the Champions League.

Kane is furious… And I think he’s right to be.

He goes one-on-one with the goalkeeper and should have been awarded a penalty.

The goalkeeper comes out to meet him as he guides the ball away from the shot-stopper, who catches the striker’s feet, pulling him to the ground.

That was a close onee, but the goalkeeper committed to the challenge and brought Kane to the ground.

There is VAR here today but the officials did not deem that a penalty – and we’re unsure if there’s been a check…

Kane clears the free-kick before Pickford comes out to claim the resulting ball back into the box.

Tomori receives a yellow card clashing with Mbong who also is shown a yellow for a physical challenge.

Tomori looks like he’s come off worse here, limping away from the incident with Malta gaining a free-kick on the right side of the penalty area.

There’s been a goal in Italy’s clash against North Macedonia, and its Matteo Darmian who has put the hosts 1-0 up.

Meanwhile England have their first corner of the night, and there’s a scramble inside the box as the ball goes up high into the air.

Malta manage to clear and send the ball back into Egnland’s half.

Malta are pressing on England again, they’ve shown some good stuff down the right flank here, with the side having two attempts on goal so far.

Kane receives a long ball inside the penalty area, he tries to take a touch and lay it back to Alexander-Arnold, breakng into the box, but the pass is just narrowly cut out.

England are slowly growing into this one after a mixed start.

Alexander-Arnold has been fould several times already during the opening 15 minutes of the game.

Malta could be targeting the Liverpool star who is playing in a slightly higher position tonight for England than what he’s used to.

Jurgen Klopp will be watching on with his hands over his eyes with the 25-year-old stepping off field momentarily to receive some treatment.

Meanwhile, Malta are on the attack and they’re getting into some good positions, but England are solid defensively cutting out their attacks.

It’s a poor pass out from Maguire, with Malta picking up the loose ball in midfield.

Mbong receives the ball, driving forward before lashing his shot over the bar.

It’s a close one for England, who have been a bit sloppy in possession in the opening ten minutes.

In rather strange circumstances, England have their first goal.

It’s Foden with the first, crossing thee ball back into the penalty area, before it gets deflected by Pepe into the goal.

The goalkeeper meanwhile could not parry the ball away from the neet.

It’s a tough one for Malta as they’ve started very well here.

It’s a sell-out here at Wembley and there’s a great atmosphere inside the stadium!

Malta meanwhile have an early chance with Teuma getting himself into a good space inside the penalty area before firing a left-footed shot towards Pickford, but it goes wide of the upright!

ENGLAND XI: Pickford, Trippier, Tomori, Guehi, Maguire, Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher, Henderson, Foden, Rashford, Kane.

MALTA XI: Bonello, Borg, Pepe, Borg, Mbong, Yankam, Guillaumier, Teuma, Camenzuli, Mbong, Reid

The players have gathered around the centre-circle for a moment of applause for Sir Bobby Charlton.

Ahead of tonight’s match, Gareth Southgate has insisted that games like tonight’s will be a great chance for his team to showcase their skills.

The England manager noted Alexander-Arnold in particular as one player who can showcase his skills from a more advanced position.

‘We have to win, we always want to play well. We have 80,000 fans here buying in to what we’re doing,’ he told Channel 4 Sport.

‘I think nights like this are definitely opportunities for people to see what they can do. This is a different test. It poses a difficult tactical issue playing against a low-block. We have players who can unlock the door like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Kane.

‘[Alexander-Arnold] loves the role he’s had with Liverpool for a number of years. There are no doubts he can do both. We’ve liked what he’s done in midfield for us. His passing range and vision is exceptional. He has another chance tonight.’

Wembley has paid tribute to the late Sir Bobby Charlton, who sadly passed away at the age of 86 in October.

The lights were dimmed at Wembley as a homage to the England legend was played on the big screens.

Sir Bobby earned 106 caps for England helping the side lift the World Cup in 1966.

Gallagher is set to line up in midfield next to Alexander-Arnold as Southgate looks to have a closer look to how the pair perform in an advanced role at Wembley.

While we’ll have to see if the Liverpool wing-back will be deployed in an out-and-out midfield position, it seems likely that Southgate will urge him to play higher upfield.

Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel has the full story below…

Conor Gallagher speaking to Channel 4: ‘I think I can play in a few positions in midfield. I’m happy to play deeper or more attacking. I like to be involved in the final third and score and create goals. I like this type of role.

‘The manager understands what I’m best at and he’s told me to do my stuff. I’ll just play my normal game.

‘You’ve got a point to prove and you’ve got to try and impress the manager. Hopefully it can be a good performance today.

Speaking on Cole Palmer, he added: ‘Anyone who has seen Chelsea play can see what he [Cole Palmer] brings to the squad. He’ll have no challenges settling in and I’m sure he’ll be brilliant.’

Head-to-head: England have beaten Malta in all of their six previous meetings, with their first meeting coming in 1971.

Raheem Sterling has been in excellent form for Chelsea of late, but has once again missed out on an England call-up this week.

Many have spoken out at the decision to omit the winger with Jermain Defoe admitting his surprise at the decision to not bring him into the team.

‘I was really surprised,’ Defoe said to Channel 4 Sport. ‘If you look at how he’s played for england in the past few years he’s been one of our better players.

‘On current form he definitely deserves to be in that squad.’

Rio Ferdinand also echoed his claims earlier in the week, admitting his bewilderment at why Sterling has not been included in the most recent England squad.

Ferdinand said: ‘I don’t know what he’s done, whose nose he has put out of join. I don’t know what’s happened.

‘But for him to not be in the England squad is beyond me. Listen, there’s a lot of talent don’t get me wrong, but if we’re talking form then he’s got more goals and assists or goal involvements than Rashford and Grealish put together.

Mail Sports Chris Sutton has claimed Gareth Southgate’s loyalty to out-of-favour players is a ‘weakness’.

Speaking on the It’s All Kicking Off podcast, Sutton lauded Southgate and his achievements as the England boss, but added that his decision to continue picking players who are not performing for their club sides was a concern ahead of Euro 2024.

‘Gareth’s sticking with players who aren’t playing regular club football. I do think that’s an issue, I do think that’s a weakness,’ Sutton said.

Malta currently sit bottom of Group C having failed to win so far during their Euro Qualifying campaign.

Last time out against England, they were beaten 4-0, with Alexander-Arnold, Kane and Callum Wilson all getting on the scoresheet, with Ferdinando Apap also scoring an own goal.

MALTA XI: Bonello, Borg, Pepe, Borg, Mbong, Yankam, Guillaumier, Teuma, Camenzuli, Mbong, Reid

Subs: Attard, Shaw, Pisani, Jones, Grech, Magri, Overend, Al-Tumi, Nwoko, Muscat, Kristensen, Muscat, Apap

England are unbeaten at Wembley so far during their Euro Qualifying campaign.

And the stage is set for tonight’s match as Southgate’s side look to improve their seeding for next summer’s tournament.

So no Palmer, Konsa or Lewis in the starting line up – but all feature on the bench.

ENGLAND XI: Pickford, Trippier, Tomori, Guehi, Maguire, Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher, Henderson, Foden, Rashford, Kane.

Subs: Johnstone, Ramsdale, Walker, Konsa, Lewis, Phillips, Rice, Palmer, Saka, Grealish, Watkins, Bowen.

It’s been an interesting week for Gareth Southgate, who has had to make seeveral changes to his 25-man international squad, following several injuries to key players.

The big news is Rico Lewis, Ezri Konsa and Cole Palmer were all drafted into the squad following injuries to several players including James Maddison, Lewis Dunk and Jude Bellingham.

Will all three feature tonight?

Gareth Southgate’s England tenure started following a low-key win against Malta back in October 2016.

The Three Lions cruised to a 2-0 win against Malta with Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli both scoring.

It came after the national side had disappointingly crashed out of the Euros just four months prior, but seven years on, the England boss has a lot to reflect on.

Today, Mail Sport has taken a look at how England have evolved since Southgate’s first game in charge, going from a team in crisis to a major contender for next summer’s European Championship.

Gareth Southgate’s side have already arrived at Wembley and look in good spirits ahead of the match.

The Three Lions are already one of nine sides to have booked their place at Euro 2024, having gone unbeaten in the qualifiers, winning five and drawing one game to Ukraine.

Can they maintain their Unbeaten reecord tonight?

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of England’s penultimate Euro 2024 qualifying match against Malta!

Gareth Southgate’s side currently sit top of Group C having gone winless so far in the qualifying stages of the tournament.

They will play North Macedonia on Monday, but have already booked their place in the tournament next year.

Amid several injuries to key players, we could be set to see some stars, including Cole Palmer receive their debuts tonight.

Kick off is scheduled for 19:45 tonight, but stay with us as we’ll have all the latest news, updates and commentary ahead of tonight’s game!