Izuchukwu OkosiAnglo-Nigerian midfielder Eberechi Eze on Friday made his debut for England in their Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta in a 4-0 win after missing out on the Euro 2020 party due to a major Achilles tendon injury.
Eze who recently elected to represent England over Nigeria came off the substitute bench in the second half in place of Leicester City star James Maddison.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelHowever, Gareth Southgate resisted the temptation to try much more experimentation albeit had to substitute Bukayo Saka – who was in Nigeria recently for holidays for a small knock.
Trips to Malta have not always been a summer holiday for Southgate’s England – a World Cup qualifier here in 2017 saw them fail to score until the 53rd minute before three late strikes put some undeserved gloss on that 4-0 scoreline.
This was a much more comfortable experience, with only a couple of minor worries. Among them was Saka requiring treatment to his ankle after a tough first-half challenge. He was replaced by Phil Foden at the interval.
Ultimately there are tougher qualifying challenges lying ahead. North Macedonia’s 2-0 win over Ukraine on Friday night is proof of that, before England then face Ukraine away and Italy at home in September and October respectively.
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold – who started in central midfield – scored a fine 25-yard strike between an own goal, and two penalties from Harry Kane and Callum Wilson.
Gareth Southgate’s side had little trouble dispatching the side 172nd in the Fifa rankings.
The Three Lions are next in action against North Macedonia on Monday.
Their qualifying campaign to reach Germany next summer is going to plan with nine points from three games – six ahead of Ukraine, North Macedonia and reigning champions Italy.
The three points at Ta’Qali National Stadium were sealed inside the first 31 minutes as Ferdinando Apap turned past his own goalkeeper before Alexander-Arnold’s impressive strike.
Just 96 seconds after Alexander-Arnold’s goal, Kane made it 3-0 from the penalty spot after being fouled by Matthew Guillaumier. It was his 50th competitive England goal, and means he has now scored in 11 straight Euro qualifiers.
Kane was replaced in the second half, allowing Wilson the chance to score from the spot when his cross was handled by Malta captain Steve Borg and a penalty was awarded by VAR.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
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