Friday, December 13, 2024

Saka hits hat-trick as England thrash North Macedonia

Bukayo Saka scored a stunning hat-trick for England as Gareth Southgate’s side hammered North Macedonia in their Euro 2024 qualifier at Old Trafford.

The 21-year-old, playing off the right flank, produced a display of ruthless finishing to become the first Arsenal player since Theo Walcott in 2008 to register three goals in a match for the Three Lions.

Saka broke the deadlock on 38 minutes (remember Kane goals don’t count) with a near-post rocket that found the roof of the net. Something of a trademark finish these days.

After the break, he latched onto a long ball by Trent Alexander-Arnold, controlled with a couple of neat touches before lashing home a volley with his left foot from outside the box.

He then completed his hat-trick four minutes later, collecting a through ball (we didn’t see who played it) before calmly beating the keeper with a composed side-foot finish.

He was substituted to a standing ovation just before the hour mark.

England’s other goals on the night came from Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips. We won’t count Kane’s second either.

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Cranky Colin

Don’t worry….. Gareth will restore him to a Right Wing Back for the important games

El Mintero

Why is he even having to play in these ridiculous games? He needs a rest ffs. Southgate should be playing his 3rd string in these games. Fkn idiot.

Tucker

I’m desperate for Saka to avoid injury, and am far from Southgate’s biggest fan, but he’s more than entitled to play his best teams for these games – they’re not friendlies.

UGooner

In fairness, Southgate over plays Saka, especially considering his backup options. I find that annoying, though always happy to see him get the place and recognition he deserves.

gooner

So former Arsenal player and lifelong gooner Harry didn’t play?

Alex

Outrageously good finishes those first two

Goonerrific

What a player – and he’s all ours, we’re so lucky!!

Gooner7190

Just think, there’s actually rival fans that think his overrated 🤣

Granit(e) hard!

Saka! SAKA SAKAA!…star boy!

Anon

You see shit like this and wonder how good he will get

Henkamp

The way he hits a ball with his weaker right foot, my word!

His best attribute is his brain… and I want to believe this young man will grow into such a phenomenal player because of that.

May his best years be with the mighty Arsenal!

Ebo

This is maybe the one lad I might even wish his worst years also be with the mighty Arsenal… and to be honest I don’t think his worst years will be that bad. Plus there’s a good chance most or them are already behind him.

Henkamp

Great point!

Oddo

Orny with the Jurrien bomb!

*shocked emote *

Anon

lol yep strange window this is shaping up to be

Eric Blair

One word: Smokescreen

Eric Blair

We are so fortunate to have him.

Sheldon

Why is he playing both these pointless games if he has even a hint of an achiles issue.

Ozzie

I don’t care how often Arteta plays him, how tired he is or how much he gets kicked, it all just makes him stronger, faster, better!

MojoWillneny

Best Young Talent on the Planet. Foden’s very good, Enzo’s very good. Halland is great but he’s 23 in a month. Caicedo is brilliant and Bellingham’s probably a future Ballon d’Ore winner. But all of that is true of our young genius. He will win the Ballon d’ Ore. He will become the best player on the planet and for my money, he’s already the best young player on the planet.

Ebo

Happy for him but could care less about what he does for “the three lions” especially against that quality of opposition. And why are they even lions to begin with? Since when are there lions in England? Another piece of cultural appropriation by the colonisers, let’s grab what we can from these poor defenseless Africans and stick it in the British museum and then even go and steal their best animals… imagine if Spain decided to call itself “The Three Alpacas”

Ealing

Pity it Started in XII century with Richard Lionheart

Ray's ice cream Parlour

who was French BTW…

Ebo

That would only be a pity it I was being in any way serious (except about not giving a crap about what he does for England, which I really don’t (except in so far as he enjoys it because I do care about him))

Crash Fistfight

You said you could care less, so you obviously give a little bit of a crap, surely?

Ricky

This hat trick was so good and so pleasing to watch. I would have made a mess in my pants if he scored this exact hat in the Arsenal red!

Collibosher

Front or back?

djourou's nutmeg

let the boy go to the beach and get some sleep for fcks sake it’s north macedonia!!!!!!!

karl g

Saka just keeps getting better, but I can’t believe he is still playing football when a break is essential for the long season ahead.

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