Euro 2024 Qualifiers Review: England beat North Macedonia 7-0 to go 6 points clear on top of their qualifying table
In their Group C qualifying match for the Euro 2024 tournament, England thrashed North Macedonia 7-0 in a thrilling game. The game’s star performance was Arsenal forward, Bukayo Saka, who notched his maiden hat-trick in the process.
Along with Saka, England also had goals from Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Kalvin Phillips, sealing their fourth victory in as many games. The decisive victory at Old Trafford strengthened England’s lead in Group C, while North Macedonia suffered a humiliating loss.
Throughout the game, Bukayo Saka was a constant threat to the North Macedonian defense. Saka’s noteworthy accomplishment also made him the first Arsenal player since Theo Walcott did it against Croatia in 2008 to score a hat-trick for England. The talented young forward’s outstanding performance highlighted his outstanding form this season, both at the club and international level.
At Old Trafford, England quickly took charge of the game and dominated play. With Harry Kane’s goal in the 29th minute, the Three Lions soon made their presence felt. As England’s offensive power outclassed their opponents, the goals kept coming.
Bukayo Saka, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Kalvin Phillips worked together to plan complex plays that resulted in several goals, proving to be a dangerous combination. The resounding victory for England demonstrated both the strength of their attacking lineup and the exceptional quality at Gareth Southgate’s disposal.
North Macedonia made admirable attempts in the game’s early going, but they were unable to stave off England’s unrelenting offensive. For the opening 25 minutes, the visitors remained steadfast and limited England’s clear-cut opportunities. However, when the score was tied, North Macedonia found it difficult to stop England’s offensive brilliance and frequently let goals through.
In addition to Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick, the game also marked a number of other significant milestones. With this goal, Harry Kane has now scored for England in six straight games. Marcus Rashford became the first Manchester United player since David Beckham in 2001 to score for England at Old Trafford. In addition, England’s resounding victory saw Kalvin Phillips score his first international goal with a tap-in, adding to the long list of firsts.
READ ALSO: Euro 2024 Qualifiers Review: Mbappe leads France to a narrow victory as he sets new record
