Bukayo Saka Secures Player of the Match After Getting A Hat-Trick Against North Macedonia

Bukayo Saka’s first career hat-trick helped England take another significant step toward the European Championships next summer with a 7-0 victory over North Macedonia at Old Trafford.

Saka’s treble, Harry Kane’s double, and goals from Kalvin Phillips and hometown hero Marcus Rashford propelled the Three Lions to their fourth consecutive UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying victory in Manchester.

Gareth Southgate’s side picked up where they left off after victories over Italy, Ukraine, and Malta, with Kane, Saka, and Rashford all scoring in the first half at the Theatre of Dreams.

Soon after the break, Saka completed a memorable personal night with a quick-fire double, before Phillips’ first goal for his country, followed by Kane’s penalty, extended England’s unbeaten record and strengthened their grip at the top of Group C.

Southgate made three changes to the team that defeated Malta 4-0 on Friday night, starting John Stones, Kyle Walker, and Marcus Rashford, both of whom had just won the Champions League with Manchester City.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was once again deployed in his more advanced midfield role, and he was joined in the middle of the park by Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson.

England got off to a fast start, with Saka looking dangerous down the right flank and Rashford looking lively on the opposite flank.

Kane was involved in a scuffle with Stefan Ristovski midway through the first half, but he went on to score just moments later.

The dangerous Rashford picked out Luke Shaw’s overlapping run down the left before the Manchester United full-back’slowcross was firmly met by England’s record goalscorer, who fired home high into the roof of the net.

The Three Lions dominated possession and quickly doubled their lead through Saka.

Walker’s precise pass set the Arsenal ace free in the middle of the box, and he arrowed a rising shot past Stole Dimitrievski to put Southgate’s side ahead.

England added a third goal just before halftime, with Rashford getting on the end of Henderson’s cut-back and slotting home in front of a raucous home crowd.

After halftime, the Three Lions showed no signs of slowing down as Saka, 21, became the youngest England player to score a hat-trick since former Arsenal star Theo Walcott in 2008.

First, the winger latched onto a brilliant long-range Alexander-Arnold pass, beating a defender and hammering a dipping strike past Dimitrievski in the North Macedonian goal.

Just four minutes later, Saka combined with Kane to coolly slot home his third and complete his maiden career treble in front of a carnival atmosphere at Old Trafford.

Phillips joined the party shortly after the hour mark, when a Jack Grealish cross was deflected into his path, allowing him to tap into an empty net.

After Stones was brought down in the box by North Macedonia substitute Egzon Bejtulai, Kane scored his 58th England goal by firing an unstoppable penalty into Dimitrievski’s top corner.

Southgate’s team pushed for another goal but had to settle for seven as they claimed another important three points on their way to Germany next summer.

About The Author

Andre

See author's posts