Bukayo Saka Nets Hat-trick As England Hit North Macedonia For Seven

Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as England continued their impressive march towards Euro 2024 with a 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia at Old Trafford on Monday. Saka has become an indispensable part of Gareth Southgate's side since starring at the World Cup and took his tally to seven goals in his last eight internationals to round off a brilliant season for the Arsenal winger. Harry Kane also scored twice, while Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips were on target as the Three Lions maintained a 100 percent record in qualifying after four games.

"This is a feeling I can't really put into words. I'm just so happy," said Saka.

"It was a really special display we put out there. They couldn't really handle us."

England move six points clear of Ukraine at the top of Group C and nine clear of Italy, who have two games in hand, with the top two set to qualify.

Despite a mammoth season lasting into the middle of June, Southgate took no chances as he named arguably his strongest available side.

The England manager was rewarded with another display full of attacking verve and imagination that made light of concerns over fatigue after a long campaign.

"The quality of the play was good and the finishing was ruthless," said Southgate. "For the players to have the mentality they have to work, at the late stage of this monster of all seasons. There was every excuse not to do that and they've not done that.

"There were boys coming back from the biggest week of their lives professionally. We had boys who had two weeks on the beach and could have approached that differently but I think what we are trying to build was apparent for everyone tonight."

Kane opened the scoring as he netted for the sixth consecutive international to stretch his