Southgate in front of Malta: Excited and proud

English national football continues its life after the corruption scandal and the dismissal of the short-lived coach Sam Allardyce.

The "three lions" team will continue to be led by the former exemplary representative of the national team, currently the coach of the U21 team, Gareth Southgate, with the prefix "acting".

At the start, a football appetizer awaits him - a match with Malta at Wembley (Saturday, 18) in the second round of the World Cup qualifiers.

"I keep hearing about what the English national team members can't do. However, I've seen what they know and I want them to show me that," the 46-year-old from Watford told reporters the evening before the match.

"I expect us to control the game."

The English opened the qualifiers with a victory in Trnava over Slovakia (1:0), won by Lalana's goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Although they are playing with Malta, a full Wembley will be waiting for them.

"I am excited before the game. The sold-out stadium shows how much the national team means to our fans. My pride in leading the national team is in agreement with the players' desire to make their country proud."

Southgate once played for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough, where he started his coaching career in 2006.