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It was a night Bukayo Saka will never forget.<\/span><\/p>\n The 21-year-old Arsenal winger scored his first career hat-trick on Monday evening as England continued their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying <\/span>with a 7-0 rout of North Macedonia<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Saka gave the Three Lions a 2-0 lead in the first half before netting twice in four second-half minutes – including a magnificent long-range second – to complete his treble, earning him a standing ovation from the adoring home crowd inside Old Trafford.<\/span><\/p>\n “I will probably frame the match ball but I’ll probably hold it in my arms for a few days first,” Saka told BBC Radio 5 Live after a stellar display which manager Gareth Southgate says will “live with Saka forever”.<\/span><\/p>\n Speaking to Channel 4, former Chelsea and England midfielder Joe Cole described Saka as the “face of English football’s future”, with ex-Three Lions captain Steven Gerrard adding: “The scary thing is he’s only going to get better.”<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s a special night, a big win and [to score] a first hat-trick is really special,” continued Saka, who had registered eight goals in 27 England appearances before Monday night’s game.<\/span><\/p>\n “I don’t remember the last time I scored three, even at junior levels. It’s a decent scoring record but there is always room for improvement.”<\/span><\/p>\n Saka’s second of the match – a magnificent left-footed drive into the top corner – came from a sensational pass by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who kept his place in midfield after impressing in that role in <\/span>Friday’s 4-0 win in Malta<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n “He’s a top player,” Saka said of the Liverpool man. “At half-time he said to me he was going to do that pass. When I scored I was looking for him to thank him. I didn’t have to break my stride.”<\/span><\/p>\n Saka, who was one of three players to <\/span>receive racist abuse<\/span><\/a> after missing a penalty in England’s shootout defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020, was full of praise for the rest of his colleagues, too.<\/span><\/p>\n “Tonight was a really special display. We went out with me and Rashy [Marcus Rashford] down the wings. Sharp, direct. They couldn’t handle us.<\/span><\/p>\n “It’s been a really long season. I couldn’t have ended it in a better way. Now it’s time to relax and have a break.”<\/span><\/p>\n‘A really special display’<\/h3>\n
‘All the credit lies with Saka’<\/h3>\n