If there’s one night to try everything, it’s this, and so is Trent Alexander-Arnold. Playing more as a winger than as the No. 10 shirt, the Liverpool star adorned a dreary 4-0 win over Malta with a series of delicate tackles. One of them was a superb strike to make it 2-0, because Alexander-Arnold at least gave Gareth Southgate something to think about in a game that almost everyone else would forget immediately.

Of course, there’s a danger in reading too much about a game as purely routine as this, but you can tell it’s a start. That’s really rare for Alexander-Arnold for England, as it’s worth noting this is only his 19th appearance.

If matches of this type always cause debate as to whether they should be played, such as the extent of the mismatch, then one stressor is how long it will take for the dominant team to score. Southgate knew about it firsthand as it was his last game at this stadium and one of his worst nights with England. A goalless first half left the away fans booing and booing that the team was “damn”.

Trent Alexander-Arnold of England speaks to Channel 4: “I enjoyed it. I love playing football, being on the pitch and representing my country. Having played the full 90 minutes, I’m very happy. After a short break at the end of the season, I need to get my legs back in shape. I enjoyed it very much and I will miss that one.

“I think my first touch was a bit sloppy. I wanted to hit the ball through but I put it outside my body and I just thought ‘go past the keeper’. As soon as I hit it, I knew it was going to go towards goal.

“I don’t know. I think it’s possible [I can play in midfield more]. I haven’t played it too much but it feels comfortable. It feels natural, I would say it. That’s where I can see myself playing. I want to make sure I’m regularly on the team roster and today is a good foundation to build on.

“Hopefully I am one of those players that can be used in a number of positions. I don’t mind where I play as long as I’m playing. No matter what position I play, I will give my best and try to win the game.

“For England, the coach is always trying to find a way to get me into the team and with the quality of the players playing in those positions, it’s hard to find that. I think the role I’m taking on at the football club, it’s a new path. It’s still early, it’s just a match. But the important thing is that when I get the chance, I take it.”

Minutes 90+3: England’s Euro 2024 qualifying campaign continues with its third consecutive victory. Malta was way ahead from the start and England made them pay.

Promoted to midfield, Trent Alexander-Arnold excelled in the first half and scored the opening goal before scoring the second.

Harry Kane then won and took a penalty before half-time and Callum Wilson came on off the bench to score a fourth late in the second half.

England’s march to Germany continues.

Minute 90: The match is added for 3 minutes.

86 min: Phil Foden takes another corner for England and picks Callum Wilson in perhaps the best chance they’ve created from these set pieces.

Wilson catches the ball in the air but sends it off target.

83 min: England have a fourth! The penalty was light but Callum Wilson made it with ease and class. This result will increase England’s goal difference, which could come into effect later in the campaign.

Minute 82: The referee reviews the game and points to the penalty spot. Callum Wilson will take it.

81 minutes: Callum Wilson made a cross from the right and hit Steve Borg’s hand. He appealed a penalty but the referee sent them away.

VAR stepped in and told the referee to look at the side screen.

While Gareth Southgate’s England squad have impressed and provided fans with great moments over the years, they tend to fall into a phase of ‘boring’ football, especially in Disproportionate matches like this.