Bukayo Saka Scores Hat-Trick as England Crush North Macedonia 7-0
England maintained their perfect start in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday night, with Bukayo Saka registering the first hat-trick of his career in a 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia at Old Trafford.
Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford also got on the scoresheet, while Kalvin Phillips scored his first international goal as Gareth Southgate’s side put in another impressive performance.
Kane Opens the Scoring
England started brightly and Saka had an early sight of goal, with his angled shot held by Stole Dimitrievski – and there was an injury worry after 16 minutes when Kane clashed heads with Stefan Ristovski – with both men requiring treatment.
But the captain was able to continue and fired his country ahead on the half-hour mark, scoring for the sixth straight international game, with Luke Shaw providing the assist and cutting the ball back for Kane to net his 57th England goal.
Saka’s Hat-Trick
Less than 10 minutes later, England doubled their lead through Saka as the Arsenal star rifled a shot into the roof of the net from a tight angle. Declan Rice then picked up a yellow card for a foul on Eljif Elmas, with his studs landing on the midfielder’s leg despite winning the ball.
Marcus Rashford put the Three Lions in firm control just before half-time – becoming the first Manchester United player to score for England at Old Trafford since David Beckham against Sweden in November 2001 – slotting in from six yards from Jordan Henderson’s cut-back.
It got even better after the restart with Saka scoring an absolute thunderbolt from just inside the box following a world-class long ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold as he put the Arsenal star in on goal with a trademark ball over the top.
Saka controlled it, took a second touch on his chest and then unleashed an unstoppable shot. The 21-year-old then became the the youngest player – and first Arsenal player – to score an England hat-trick since Theo Walcott in 2008.
Saka ran onto Kane’s ball behind the North Macedonian defence and slotted the ball past Dimitrievski as it became a demolition at Old Trafford, with Southgate opting to rest Saka just before the hour mark as he went off to huge applause.
Phillips and Kane Add to the Scoreline
Less than 10 minutes later, Manchester City’s Phillips made it 6-0 in what was his first international goal, with Jack Grealish’s cross landing in his path after his ball hit a North Macedonian defender, as the former Leeds man tapped in to an empty net.
Kane bagged his second of the night to give Southgate’s side a huge 7-0 lead, firing in a well-taken penalty after John Stones was hauled to the ground inside the box and like Saka, he was rewarded with a rest and was taken off just after.
England had chances to make it eight but eventually settled for seven on what was a dominant night for the Three Lions, who stay top of Group C.
Conclusion
Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick was the highlight of a dominant performance from England as they cruised to victory over North Macedonia at Old Trafford. Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford also got on the scoresheet, while Kalvin Phillips scored his first international goal as Gareth Southgate’s side maintained their perfect start in Euro 2024 qualifying.