Gareth Southgate said there was no issue with England’s motivation levels despite admitting that his players were guilty of coasting during their laboured 2-0 win over Malta.
England, who have all but secured their status as top seeds at Euro 2024, were short of intensity on a low-key night at Wembley. With qualification from Group C already secured, Southgate admitted that his side did not extend themselves as they saw off lowly opponents with an own goal from Enrico Pepe and a late strike from Harry Kane.
However, Southgate insisted that he is not concerned about England, who close their qualification campaign by visiting North Macedonia on Monday, easing off before next summer’s tournament. The manager pointed out that the mindset will be different when England face Brazil and Belgium in friendlies in March.
“It’s not a worry,” Southgate said. “There are nights where subconsciously you just do enough to win. This week was always going to be difficult. We’ve already qualified. We were flat, I accept that. I’m not going to get into the players. We wouldn’t get away with it [against Brazil and Belgium]. The players would have a different level of motivation.”
Southgate felt that England lacked flow on the ball and were stretched when they lost possession. “We didn’t start well and I’ve been in football for 35 years and if you don’t start well it’s hard to pick it up,” he said. “It’s not the level we need to be at.”
England’s difficulties were summed up by Kane being booked for a dive in the first half, but Southgate thought the striker should have been awarded a penalty after being challenged by the Malta goalkeeper, Henry Bonello. “I thought the yellow was a bit harsh,” Southgate said. “I thought there was definitely contact from the goalkeeper, I thought that was pretty clear.”
Kane insisted that he had not cheated. “I was surprised it didn’t get overturned but the referee has made his decision,” he said. “Sometimes the VAR doesn’t want to interfere too much but it is what it is. That’s football and it’s part of the game.”
England will assess Marcus Rashford after the forward went off after picking up a knock in the second half. Southgate said that Conor Gallagher was withdrawn at half-time for tactical reasons. Fikayo Tomori, who also did not make it out for the second half, was on the end of a couple of forceful challenges during the opening period.
