Bukayo Saka scored his first hat-trick against North Macedonia
Bukayo Saka put on possibly his best performance to date at the conclusion of a long season, scoring his first senior hat-trick in breathtaking fashion in his 58th appearance for club and country.
The ruthless efficiency the 21-year-old has added to his game is exemplified by his goals. A razor-sharp turn and crushing angle finish on the first. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s pass set up the second goal, which was an even greater effort and thundered home from outside the box.
Those goals highlighted Saka’s flair for the dramatic and his talent with the ball, but the third was all about poise as he pounced on Harry Kane’s pass and scored with the unerring calmness of a much more experienced player.
His age plays a role in why performances like this, both for his country and his club, are so exciting. Saka became one of Gareth Southgate’s most crucial players this season, surpassing double digits for both goals and assists for Arsenal.
But really, he’s just getting warmed up. After the game, his post-game television interview served as a reminder of his boyish charm and the reality that, despite being just three months away from turning 22, he was already a player of the highest caliber.
Marcus Rashford concluded an outstanding first half for England with a close-range strike to score an international goal on his home turf shortly after Saka shot into the roof of the net.
The Arsenal forward scored twice, the first from a difficult angle and the second two minutes into the second half after collecting a wonderful feed from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Then, as England destroyed their opponents, he scored his first career hat-trick with a well-timed run in behind and a composed finish, concluding an outstanding personal season.
Bukayo Saka‘s two goals at the beginning of the second half had England’s fans jumping, but there was still more to celebrate when Kalvin Phillips scored his first goal in international competition and Harry Kane added a second from the spot after John Stones was fouled at a set-piece. “The scoreline is outrageous,” England manager Southgate stated after the game. There was no indication that Macedonia would suffer that much or that the game would be so simple.
