Saka scores first career hat-trick in England rout

Bukayo Saka netted his first senior career hat-trick during England's 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia in a Euro 2024 qualifier at Old Trafford.

Our forward collected the matchball by getting on the scoresheet three times in a 13-minute spell either side of half-time as the Three Lions cruised to their fourth win from four qualifiers to take a big step towards reaching the finals in Germany next summer.

On an evening Bukayo will never forget, his side were already 1-0 ahead before he started his scoring spree on 38 minutes when he received a Kyle Walker pass inside the area and thrashed it past the opposition keeper Stole Dimitrievski at the near post.

Then two minutes after the restart he latched onto a long ball by Trent Alexander-Arnold, drove to the edge of the area and unleashed a vicious strike that found the top corner.

Just five minutes later, his hat-trick was complete when he was picked out by Jordan Henderson and was allowed space to race through on goal before neatly finding a way past Dimitrievski to complete his treble.

He was replaced on 59 minutes with the result firmly in the bag, having taken his tally to 11 international goals in 28 caps since his debut in 2020 and was subsequently handed the man of the match award.

Speaking post-match, he said: "I will probably frame the matchball but I'll probably hold it in my arms for a few days first. It's a special night, a big win and [to score] a first hat-trick is really special.

"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.

"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. 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."

Aged 21 years and 287 days, Bukayo also became the becomes the youngest player to score a hat-trick for England since fellow Gunner Theo Walcott, who achieved the feat aged 19 against Croatia in 2008.

Elsewhere on Monday night, Granit Xhaka's Switzerland let slip a 2-0 lead to draw 2-2 with Romania.

Two goals from Zeki Amdouni had put the hosts in firm control in Lucerne, but in the 89th minute Valentin Mihaila pulled one back, before he netted a second two minutes into stoppage-time to salvage a draw.

Granit captained his team once again, in what was his 115th international cap, moving him into second spot in Switzerland's all-time cap winners. He is now just three behind leader Heinz Hermann. Switzerland still top the group, two points clear of Romania with both sides having played four games.