Patrick Roberts was a star performer for England U17s as two wonder-goals and an assist from the Fulham youngster sealed a 3-0 victory over Malta.
Long distance strikes in either half from the forward stole the show, but he also demonstrated his creative side as a mazy run led to him set up Adam Armstrong as the Young Lions got off to a winning start at the UEFA European Championship Finals.
John Peacock's young side started brightly as Armstrong whizzed a 25-yard effort narrowly wide of the mark inside the opening minute.
England 3-0 Malta
UEFA U17s Championship Finals
Friday 9 May 2014
Malta
They were controlling all the ball as they probed in and around the Maltese defence looking for a breakthrough. With the sun beaming down and a carnival atmosphere inside the national stadium they did well to slowly silence the home faithful.
But it wasn't until the 15th minute that the deadlock was broken.
Roberts was fed the ball and he raced towards goal before unleashing a low, hard drive that rifled past the goalkeeper and inside the post.
The Fulham maestro, who has broken into the Craven Cottage first-team over the last two months, then turned provider ten minutes later to double help his side's advantage.
He jinked and tricked his way past three players before cutting the ball back to Armstrong, and the Newcastle United striker turned to hit a left-foot strike from eight yards, just beating team-mate Josh Onomah to the ball.
England were in firm control now, and almost grabbed a third as Jonjoe Kenny broke through and squared for Dominic Solanke. He would have had a simple tap in from two yards, but a certain goal was blocked as a defender scrambled the ball to safety.
There were no changes at the break as the visitors started the second-half in a similar fashion to the first, controlling the tempo and playing at their own pace as the Maltese side sat off.
Seven minutes in and Armstrong had an opportunity to grab his second, turning and firing over from ten yards after some good work by Josh Sims on the right.
Less than a minute later, however, England had made it three, and what a goal it was. Like his goal against Armenia in the first round of qualifiers, Roberts picked up the ball out wide before running inside and unleashing a thumping 30-yard effort that whistled past the 'keeper and flew into his top right corner.
He received a standing ovation moments later as he left the field to be replaced by Demetri Mitchell, and he deserved every plaudit thanks to his two goals and assist.
Callum Cooke was introduced shortly after in place of Dominic Solanke, and he had two chances to get himself on the score sheet.
Firstly, he fired over from close-range before his powerful volley was saved brilliantly by Jamie Azzopardi.
Tafari Moore then tried his luck as he went past one defender before firing over from the edge of the box and Armstrong went past two defenders and the keeper, but his effort cannoned back off the upright.
A comfortable start for England, who next face Turkey on Monday.
England: 1 Fred Woodman (Newcastle United), 2 Jonjoe Kenny (Everton), 3 Tafari Moore (Arsenal), 4 Ryan Ledson (C) (Everton), 5 Joe Gomez (Charlton Athletic), 6 Dael Fry (Middlesbrough), 8 Josh Onomah (Tottenham Hotspur), 9 Adam Armstrong (Newcastle United), 10 Dominic Solanke (Chelsea), 17 Josh Sims (Southampton), 18 Patrick Roberts (Fulham)
Substitutes: 7 Demetri Mitchell (Manchester United) for Roberts 50, 16 Callum Cooke (Middlesbrough) for Solanke 59, Lewis Cook (Leeds United) for Onomah 69.
Substitutes not used: Sam Howes (West Ham United), 12 Mandela Egbo (Crystal Palace), Taylor Moore (RC Lens)
Goals: Patrick Roberts (15) (48), Adam Armstrong (25)
Head Coach: John Peacock
Malta: 1 Jamie Azzopardi, 2 Daniel Buckle, 3 Jean Borg, 4 Nick Ghio, 5 Matthew Guillaumier, 6 Christian Degabriele, 7 Aidan Friggieri, 8 Jake Grech, 9 Kyrian Nwoko, 10 Conor Borg (C), 11 Joseph Mbong
Substitutes: 13 Myles Beerman for Mbong 40, 17 Juan Corbolan for Grech 73, 14 Iousef Meli for Ghio 73.
Substitutes not used: 12 Mikhail Sciberras, 15 Mark Sciluna, 16 Neil Spiteri, 18 Neil Tabone
Head Coach: Sergio Soldano
