England vs North Macedonia –England maintained their perfect record and first place in Group C of the Euro 2024 qualifying tournament with a 7-0 hammering of North Macedonia at Old Trafford thanks to hat-trick hero Bukayo Saka. Saka scored during a stunning victory for England in the season’s last game, joining Harry Kane (twice), Marcus Rashford, and Kalvin Phillips on the scoreboard.
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England’s Bukayo Saka score a hat trick in a 7-0 rout of North Macedonia as they tightened their grip atop Group C in Euro 2024 qualifying on Monday with a fourth consecutive victory.
Captain Harry Kane, with his 57th and 58th goals for his country, Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips all scored at Old Trafford in a game the hosts dominated as predicted.
England look set for next year’s finals after amassing a perfect 12 points having also beaten Ukraine, who are second on six points from three matches, Italy and Malta. Saka’s scoring heroics came in a flurry straddling halftime.
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His first goal in the 38th minute was an angled shot into the top corner. His second just after the break came after he chested the ball down and struck a left-foot volley. Saka completed his treble in the 51st after running onto a through ball from Kane and then was swamped by joyous teammates.
Although Saka still had plenty of work to do when he took a touch, chested it up, and then slammed the ball in from 18 yards with his left foot, Alexander-Arnold demonstrated that his midfield role is here to stay with another exquisite pass for England’s third goal. Kane’s well-weighted through pass gave him an easier finish for his third goal.
North Macedonia may have been relieved to see him replaced moments later, but the assault continued. Phillips scored when a cross from replacement Jack Grealish broke to him and went into the goal, giving him a sweet moment in a city where he has won many team awards but has so far struggled to score on his own since his high-profile transfer from Leeds.
England manager Gareth Southgate wrapped the grinning 21-year-old in a bear hug when he was substituted minutes later. England next play Ukraine on Sept. 9 when fourth-placed North Macedonia, who have three points from three matches, host Italy, who are third with three points from two games.
England XI:
Pickford, Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Rice, Alexander-Arnold, Henderson, Saka, Rashford, Kane.
Subs: Ramsdale, Johnstone, Trippier, Guehi, Phillips, Mings, Grealish, Maddison, Gallagher, Foden, Eze, Wilson.
North Macedonia XI:
Dimitrievski, S Ristovski, Zajkov, Velkovski, Ashkovski, Ademi, Bardhi, Elmas, Alioski, Nestorovski, Trajkovski.
Subs: Iliev, Shiskovski, Bejtulai, Serafimov, Atanasov, Manev, Dav. Babunski, Doriev, Elezi, M Ristovski, Do Babunski, Dimoski.
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