Bukayo Saka’s sensational performance helped England to a 2-0 victory against Ukraine. The 21-year old assisted Harry Kane for his team’s opening goal in the 37th minute before going on to score a tremendous long-range goal just 3 minutes later.
The English winger’s performance dragged praises from England’s boss Gareth Southgate as he spoke highly of the player’s ‘mentality shift’. In his post-match interview, the English boss said;
“I just think when he’s in front of goal now, he plays with real belief. That’s evident with his club and in his games with us. You’re expecting him to score now when he goes through and that’s been a mentality shift as much as it’s anything technical, because he has always had the technique.â€
The English boss was full of praise for Saka as he went further adding that;
“I think he knows that to be a really top wide player you need the numbers for goals and assists and without a doubt he has delivered that all season. His hunger and humility is what has got him on a good path. He has all the attributes to continue to improve and learn because that’s how he’s wired. I don’t see that changing with how he is and his family are. He’s got great support around him and all of those things are important for a young player.â€
England are now well in the driving seat for qualification to the UEFA European Championship 2024 as they have now won their two qualifying games and sit top of Group C with maximum 6 points with six more qualifying games to be played.