World Cup qualifier, Group F; Gareth Southgate’s England were scheduled to travel to Malta and came back home with a thumping 4-0 win.
The game was nicely poised in the half-first half as Malta were doing everything they could to deny England. The teams went in on level terms as referee blew the half-time whistle. Pressure was mounting on the visitors and for all the right reasons, as Raheem Sterling just missed a glorious opportunity after being found by Harry Kane.
The second half, however, was a different scenario whatsoever. Southgate decided to snub Raheem Sterling in place of Marcus Rashford and the substitute worked wonders for his team. Just eight minutes after the restart, Harry Kane broke the deadlock after his club teammate Dele Alli’s unselfish play.
Heading into the final five minutes, Ryan Bertrand and Danny Welbeck’s goal gave England a cushion and then came a moment of brilliance from the Manchester United youngster. In the second minute of the stoppage time, the 19-year-old curled in a delicious ball from just near the halfway line and Harry Kane converted the ball into the back of the net and made it four for the visitors.
That single substitute literally made the difference for the Three Lions. Kyle Walker was actually kicking the ball out for a Malta injury, but Rashford had other ideas. Stunning Malta’s entire backline, the 19-year-old played a delicious long ball to add further misery to Malta’s fate. Here is all what happened:
Marcus Rashford vs Malta:
45 minutes played
7 dribbles completed
3 key passes
1 assistWhat a assist Marcus Rashford! 🔴#MUFC pic.twitter.com/zvzjkiRqwe
— AhsanMUFC_ (@MufcAhsan) September 1, 2017
Having said that, England will now welcome Slovakia at Wembley on Monday and will have to give their best, probably better than how they performed against Malta actually. The traveling supporters were never shy in shouting “We’re f***ing s**t,” as it was heard all over the field during the game. But Southgate remained calm about the situation and said,
“I understand the reaction, but we have to stay focused as a group. Monday’s game will be completely different.”
And this is how Twitter reacted to it:
Sterling watching from the bench as Rashford comes on and gets an assist pic.twitter.com/TJ9299fJZA
— José (@MourinhoMindset) September 1, 2017
Marcus Rashford vs Malta:
45 minutes played
7 dribbles completed
3 key passes
1 assist⚡️💥 Instant Impact 💥⚡️ pic.twitter.com/wKUryC99VL
— Scouted Football (@ScoutedFtbl) September 1, 2017
Rashford😂😂 not a head injury so why should he put the ball out
— Mitchell Young (@MitchYoung_94) September 1, 2017
Seen someone say Rashford should be embarrassed for not kicking the ball out.. Fuck that, play to the whistle lad! 😂
— 🐐 (@BigHeadReece) September 1, 2017
Rashford is quality, Malta bin man down injured nd he played to whistle leading to 4th goal. Fuck kicking ball out, good lad
— Rhys Oakley 🇬🇧 (@_RhysOakley) September 1, 2017
Elite mentality from rashford play to whistle no need to kick the ball out and a brilliant pass
— Addicted To Spurs (@addicted_spurs) September 1, 2017
Rashford killa mentality. Walker even told him to kick the ball out😂
— Nduka (@Daniel_ND_) September 1, 2017
Rashford doesnt kick the ball out for anyone 😂
— AJ_Hacker [SDMN] (@AJhackerSDMN) September 1, 2017
So the #Malta no4 was feigning injury & walked back to his own half. Well done #Rashford for not kicking the ball out of play #England
— ᑎIᙅᕼ ᔕTᗩᖇᒪIᑎᘜ (@NichStarling) September 1, 2017
Love that rashford, disregarding the injured malta player and playing a peach of a ball to kane to finish off😂
— Jack (@Jack_Lowe99) September 1, 2017
