Sir Bobby Charlton honoured at England v Malta
Fitting tributes were paid to the late Sir Bobby Charlton at England’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Malta on Friday evening.
The fixture, at Wembley Stadium, was the Three Lions’ first since the sad news of the 1966 World Cup winner’s passing on 21 October.
Before kick-off at the national stadium, a minute’s applause took place while a crowd mosaic of 'Sir Bobby' was visible from the stands.
A wreath and a red no.9 shirt - like the one worn by Sir Bobby in the triumphant final 57 years ago - were laid in the centre circle, while an image of the former record holder for England men’s goals was displayed on the big screens.
The official matchday programme was also dedicated to Charlton, in the week that the legend’s funeral took place at Manchester Cathedral.
In the match, England defeated Malta 2-0 to maintain their unbeaten Euro qualifying campaign thus far.
Gareth Southgate’s side have already secured a place at next summer’s tournament in Germany, but an Enrico Pepe own goal and a second-half strike from Harry Kane ensured another three points would be added to their Group C-leading total.
United’s Harry Maguire played the full 90 minutes, while fellow Red Marcus Rashford was replaced shortly after the hour mark, moments on from a hefty-looking collision with international team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Elsewhere in Friday’s fixtures, goalkeeper Andre Onana played 81 minutes of Cameroon’s 2026 World Cup qualifying opener against Mauritius.
Our no.24’s nation triumphed 3-0, although Onana did appear to leave the field flanked by his country’s medical staff in the closing stages.
Earlier in the day, young winger Facundo Pellistri helped Uruguay to record a 2-0 win over Argentina in a key South American World Cup qualifier.