England turn in a four-star win in Malta

A late flourish from England earned them a 4-0 World Cup Group F qualifying win in Malta last night.

Harry Kane opened the scoring on 53 minutes, after a disappointing goalless first half, and then completed the scoring two minutes into stoppage time at the end.

Ryan Bertrand netted five minutes from time and Danny Welbeck a minute into stoppage time for Gareth Southgate’s side.

Northern Ireland beat San Marino 3-0, while Scotland were 3-0 winners in Lithuania. ■■Chris Coleman remains undaunted by the size of Wales’ World Cup task and admits he would not be bothered if they had to beat “Brazil, Spain and Germany” to reach next summer’s finals in Russia.

Wales are playing catch-up in Group D with four points to make up on the top two of Serbia and the Republic of Ireland.

Coleman’s side have four games left to claw back that deficit - Austria and the Republic at home and Moldova and Georgia away.

But the Wales manager is supremely confident that can be done, although maximum points might be needed to finish top or even claim a play-off spot.

“We can do it (win the last four games) and that’s no disrespect to Austria, Moldova, Georgia and the Republic of Ireland,” said Coleman, whose side host Austria in Cardiff today.

“I know this is a statement, but I’ll say it - it could be Brazil, Spain and Germany.

“I have that much confidence in our players and in our team, especially here in this (Cardiff City) stadium when it’s full.

“If we get it right then there’s nobody we need to fear. That’s a definite.

“We don’t have to be afraid of anyone. But we’re only looking at one game.

“We’ve always done that and one game is always winnable, no matter who it is against.”

The two sides drew 2-2 in Vienna last October when West Ham’s Marko Arnautovic twice cancelled out a Wales lead.

But there is a real knife-edge feel about this game as Austria are in the same position as Wales.

Austria also have eight points from six games, and Coleman admits the group situation will add to the occasion.

“These last four games are like a mini-tournament. They’re do-or-die, depending on what the other results are,” Coleman said.

“One of us could be dropping out if it’s a negative result, so I don’t think either team is going into the game looking for a draw.

“Both teams have exciting players capable of scoring goals, so I can see an open game. A draw doesn’t do either of us any good so you would imagine something will have to give.”