England cruised to a comfortable 2-0 victory against Malta in their UEFA Euro Qualifiers on Friday. England opened the scoring with a first half own goal by Enrico Pepe under the first 10 minutes of the match. This was followed by a second half goal by England’s star player Harry Kane to seal the win. Below are the review of each England player based on their performance against Malta on Friday.
Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford: He had time to review the game’s rules, yet faced moments of concern as a few Malta shots flew over his crossbar. Despite this, he secured his 28th clean sheet for England.
Defenders
Kieran Trippier: Started on the right and later switched to the left, fulfilling his role well by supporting both flanks. He defended diligently and had plenty of involvement in the game.
Harry Maguire: He made some careless passes under minimal pressure, followed by earnest apologies. While his long balls were accurate, he struggled in aerial duels, losing out to opponents.
Marc Guehi: His early interception crucially stopped a promising Malta attack. Guehi’s quiet yet solid performance showcased his defensive prowess, echoing the mindset of staying unnoticed while doing his job effectively. Potentially, he may be one of the main players for England in the UEFA Euro 2024.
Fikayo Tomori: Played out of position against an underestimated opponent, resulting in two quick bookings due to rushed defending. Substituted at halftime due to his cards and the risk they posed.
Midfielders
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Despite facing numerous fouls early on, he displayed impressive passing skills and took charge of creative responsibilities, contributing significantly in attack.
Jordan Henderson: Not his best night for England as aside from one notable moment of skill, his performance lacked significant impact.
Conor Gallagher: Started with a shaky surrender of possession, struggling to shine amidst tactical challenges and formidable opponents.
Forwards
Phil Foden: Stood out as the game’s standout player, showcasing excellent passing, movement, and involvement in both goals.
Harry Kane: Despite criticisms, he dropped deep to contribute effectively, eventually scoring the second goal for England.
Marcus Rashford: Showcased relentless energy but struggled against solid defensive walls, often running into opposing players.
The victory highlighted individual player performances, displaying a mix of commendable efforts and areas for improvement within the England squad.
