Bukayo Saka put up a man-of-the-match performance for England in their 2-0 win over Ukraine in Euro 2024 qualifying. Arsenal fans hoped for a rest for Bukayo Saka against Ukraine after he added another 85 minutes to his impressive workload this season in England’s 2-1 triumph over Italy on Thursday. Instead, he played the entire 90 minutes at Wembley. The 21-year-old, who has played all 28 Premier League games for Arsenal this season, is now as essential to England manager Gareth Southgate as he is to Mikel Arteta. The remainder will have to wait. His performance against Ukraine will be remembered most for the spectacular long-range goal he scored only three minutes after setting up Harry Kane for the opener.
That moment of inspiration, when he rolled Mykola Matviyenko with his back to the goal and hit the top corner from 25 yards out, was another highlight reel moment for him, but his threat was constant. Ukraine attempted to crowd him out, doubling and occasionally tripling up on him on their left-wing when England played the ball to him, but he was unstoppable most of the time. Vitalii Mykolenko was certainly relieved to be replaced in the second half, and he wasn’t the only one who spent the entire chasing after the 21-year-old, relegated to simply pulling him down.
Saka won four fouls in all, more than anybody else. It was a reflection of the difficulties he caused Ukraine, and even as England lowered the tempo in the second half, aiming to manage and contain rather than enhance their lead, he remained elusive, dribbling, pushing towards a goal, and providing crosses and strikes.
“His hunger and humility are what has put him on the right track. He possesses all of the characteristics necessary to continue to progress and learn since that is how he is wired,” England boss Southgate said about Bukayo Saka. “With how he and his family are, I don’t see it changing. He has a lot of people rooting for him, which is crucial for a young athlete. I believe he understands that in order to be a truly elite wide player, he must provide a high amount of goals and assists, and he has done it consistently this season.”
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