Daniel Sturridge and Dele Alli score as England beat Malta at Wembley
Around 2,000 Maltese fans have turned up at Wembley Stadium to show their support for the national side against England
Malta's Zach Muscat and England's Dele Alli of England battle for the ball
Malta football fans in high spirits ahead of clash against England
Malta's players walked out of the legendary Wembley pitch with their heads held high as they held England at bay for most of the World cup qualifier.
England only beat Malta by two goals, thanks to a Daniel Sturridge header and a Dele Alli strike just before the break.
Despite dominating the game from the kick-off, England failed to increase their lead and were frustrated by Malta's dogged defence and a series of fine saves by goalkeeper Andrew Hogg.
Ahead of the high-profile football match between Malta and England, hundreds of Maltese fans swarmed the streets of London.
Waving Maltese flags and wearing red and white scarves, the fans walked to Wembley Stadium, chanting tunes such as “Que sera sera, whatever will be will be. We’re going to Wemb-er-ley!”
Around 1,300 Maltese fans have travelled to London to support their football team, and will be joined at the stadium by a further 600 Maltese people who live in London.
Malta manager Pietro Ghedin predicted that the game will be a tough one for his side, describing England as “one of the best teams in Europe”.
“We will have to try our best every time and I hope we leave the pitch with our heads held high, knowing we had given everything,” he said.
The match will be Gareth Southgate’s first in the dugout as England manager, after he was appointed on an interim basis following the resignation of Sam Allardyce last week.
The former Middlesbrough boss has urged his side to be brave and exciting against Malta and to use the game to help put the pride back into English football.
“I keep hearing what English players can’t do, but I’ve seen what they can do. I want them to go and show it. I expect us to control the game,” he said.
Southgate has named a strong starting 11 for tonight’s game, with Wayne Rooney captaining the side.
Arsenal winger Theo Walcott, Manchester United forward Jesse Lingard – who will make his England debut – and Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge will lead the forward line. Joe Hart will play in goal; Kyle Walker, Ryan Bertrand, John Stones and Gary Cahill will play in defence; and Jordan Henderson and Dele Alli partnering Rooney in midfield.
Malta’s starting XI are: Andrew Hogg (goalkeeper); Alex Muscat, Ryan Camilleri, Andre Agius, Zach Muscat, Steve Borg (defenders); Paul Fenech, Gareth Scibberas, Bjorn Kristensen (midfielders); Alfred Effiong and Andre Schembri (strikers).
Malta have played three football games against England and have lost all three of them. The most recent game was an international friendly in June 2000, when England won 2-1. Martin Keown and Emile Heskey had scored England’s goals, while Malta’s goal had come courtesy of an own goal by goalkeeper Richard Wright.
