—– Italy Italy cruised past Malta to keep alive their hopes of toppling England to win European Championship qualifying Group C.

Giacoma Bonaventura, 34, scored his first international goal for the dominant hosts, before Domenico Berardi struck twice. Davide Frattesi tucked an effort inside the post for the fourth in injury time.

Italy moved three points behind group leaders England, who they face at Wembley on Tuesday night, with three games left.

Defending European champions Italy are level on 10 points with third-placed Ukraine, who beat North Macedonia 2-0, and will need at least two more wins to qualify for Euro 2024.

Victory for England, however, on Tuesday would see the Three Lions win the group.

Northern Ireland brought a run of five consecutive Euro 2024 qualifier defeats to an end thanks to a comfortable 3-0 victory over San Marino in Belfast.

The hosts made a blistering start with Paul Smyth volleying in the opener before Josh Magennis hit the bottom corner on 11 minutes.

Conor McMenamin slotted home his first international goal to seal the win.

It completed a Group H double over the minnows but Northern Ireland’s hopes of making the finals are over.

Wins for Slovenia and Denmark later on Saturday confirmed their failure to qualify for the tournament in Germany next year.

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