WCQ: Malta 0-4 England

Harry Kane scored twice for England

Harry Kane scored twice as a late flurry of goals gave an England a 4-0 win in Malta in World Cup 2018 European Qualifying.

Kane, who had not scored in August, marked September 1 with a goal, driving low from eight yards out in the 53rd minute after a frustrating first half for the visitors.

Ryan Bertrand doubled England's lead in the 86th minute with a long-range effort, before sub Danny Welbeck added a neat third in stoppage time.

Kane then netted his second and England's fourth a minute later, and the result means England stay top of Group F with three games remaining, sitting two points clear of second-placed Slovakia after their late 1-0 win over Slovenia.

In a goalless first half, England had several opportunities to take the lead, the best falling to Raheem Sterling in the first minute after being found by Kane, but the Man City man decided to stall and turn inside the box when one-on-one, before being tackled.

Kane then forced Malta goalkeeper Andrew Hogg into a fine save with a fierce header from Dele Alli's deflected cross, while Alli himself then blasted a half volley over the bar from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cut back.

Tottenham striker Kane broke the deadlock eight minutes after the break from eight yards after some unselfish play from club team-mate Alli.

Southampton left-back Bertrand looked almost embarrassed to have scored England's second, seeing his long-range effort take a slight deflection before finding the bottom corner when goalkeeper Hogg should have got down quicker.

Sub Welbeck made it 3-0 in the 91st minute, running onto Kane's fine through ball to lift the ball over Hogg before the ball bounced over the line.

Marcus Rashford, who impressed after coming on for Sterling at half-time, then found Kane, who struck on the half-volley from close range after moving into space in the box.