Key events
The Wembley lights are dimmed as footage of Bobby Charlton is shown on the big screen. Fans hold up flashlights as eternal flames. An emotional moment.
Gareth Southgate speaks to Channel 4. “We have to win … we always want to play well … we have over 80,000 people here who are buying into what we’re doing … we’ve got some exciting players … we’ve got to work hard as a team and make sure the mentality and attitude is right … if that is, the quality will come through … nights like this are definitely opportunities for people to see what they can do … this is a different sort of test, a team lower in the rankings who pose a different tactical issue … you have to break down a back five and low block … we want to see plenty of movement … we have players who can unlock the door in Foden and Trent and Harry Kane … we have players who can press well … it would be great to see Conor Gallagher get on the scoresheet as well … [Alexander-Arnold]’s passing range and vision is exceptional so this is another chance for him to get some minutes in that role and get a feel of that position … there’s always a plan for changes and we’ve got [sending on debutants] in mind but that depends on the direction of the game.”
There are three players on the bench hoping to make their debuts this evening: Cole Palmer of Chelsea, Manchester City’s Rico Lewis and Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa. At the other end of the spectrum, Harry Kane will be making his 88th appearance in an England shirt … and will be looking to add to his record total of 61 goals.
Tonight’s match programme. There could only be one cover star.
Gareth Southgate makes five changes from the XI that started the 3-1 win over Italy last month. Trent Alexander-Arnold is named in midfield alongside Conor Gallagher and Jordan Henderson, while Marc Guéhi and Fikayo Tomori come into the defence. Declan Rice, Kalvin Phillips and Kyle Walker drop to the bench, while Jude Bellingham and John Stones miss out through injury.
The teams
England: Pickford, Trippier, Maguire, Guehi, Tomori, Alexander-Arnold, Gallagher, Henderson, Foden, Kane, Rashford.
Subs: Johnstone, Lewis, Saka, Ramsdale, Phillips, Rice, Grealish, Walker, Konsa, Palmer, Watkins, Bowen.
Malta: Bonello, Steve Borg, Pepe, Jean Borg, Joseph Mbong, Yankam, Guillaumier, Teuma, Camenzuli, Paul Mbong, Reid.
Subs: Matthew Grech, Kristensen, Nwoko, Overend, Jones, Al-Tumi, Zach Muscat, Shaw, Attard, Stephen Pisani, Nicky Muscat, Apap.
Referee: Luis Godinho (Portugal).
Preamble
Let’s not oversell this. England can secure top spot in Group C, and with it top-seed status at the Euro 2024 draw, if they get at least a point against Malta at Wembley tonight. Having already beaten the Maltese 4-0 at their gaff in Ta’Qali earlier this year, and with a historical record against them of played six, won six, scored 18, conceded one, they’re going to get that point. If they don’t win, your humble MBM scribe will eat their hat, in the time-honoured style of well-lubricated 1930s BBC announcer Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Woodrooffe. This as-good-as-dead rubber kicks off at 7.45pm GMT. It’s on, just about.
