Dom Smith reflects on England's underwhelming win over Malta

England's final home match of a successful year was one which failed to ever spring into life, as the Three Lions beat Malta 2-0 at Wembley in their penultimate Euro 2024 qualifier.Safely into the finals next summer thanks to last month's victory over Italy here, they were pressed well by minnows Malta but took the lead through Enrico Pepe's unfortunate eighth-minute own goal when Phil Foden's cross fizzed into the net off the centre-back.England had penalty claims from Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford waved away — and Kane was even booked for a perceived dive — before they finally mustered the second goal in the 75th minute as Bukayo Saka squared for Kane to convert from close range.Declan Rice had a stellar goal disallowed just minutes later when Kane, offside, was in the goalkeeper's eye-line as the ball went in. From there, England were home, hosed, but never inspiring in a 2-0 victory which matches the scoreline of Gareth Southgate's first game in charge, also against Malta at Wembley back in October 2016.