Saka hat-trick inspires ruthless England to demolition of North Macedonia

Bukayo Saka grabbed the ball, his ball, and kissed it. This Euro 2024 qualifying tie was only in the 51st minute but the England winger had completed a stunning hat-trick and so why wait for the traditional post-match ritual? The only problem for Saka – and North Macedonia – was that he had to hand it back. For a while, at least.

The strange thing about this game was that England had rather laboured for the opening 29 minutes. It felt as if it could turn into one of those long nights. The way that they set about the notion and dismantled it, together with the opposition, said everything about the poise and belief that Gareth Southgate has instilled.

Harry Kane’s opening goal was the trigger for England to run riot, Macedonia reduced to wrecks and this, remember, was a team that had won away against Germany and, famously, Italy during qualification for the last World Cup.

England were too quick, too assured and they accelerated smoothly to a fourth win of the campaign in four attempts, bringing the season to the most satisfying of conclusions. It was certainly a far cry from the end of the previous one. Hungary at Molineux, anyone?

Saka was the star turn, finishing lethal, his second a belter; a glorious celebration of his technique and confidence. Kane sent him through for the hat-trick goal and, when Southgate substituted him on 58 minutes, it was to hugs and a great ovation.

Kane would make it 7-0 from the penalty spot, Southgate then substituting him – no hat-trick for the captain – while Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips, on as a substitute, were England’s other scorers. The referee would blow for full-time bang on 90 minutes and, for Macedonia, it was the only time they could feel relief.

“No pressure.” That was