England 1-0 Malta – Euro 2024 qualifying: Live score, team news and updates as Three Lions break the deadlock with fortunate own goal after Phil Foden’s cut-back is deflected in

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!