The strange thing about this game was that England had rather laboured for the opening 29 minutes. It felt as if it could turn into one of those long nights. The way that they set about the notion and dismantled it, together with the opposition, said everything about the poise and belief that Gareth Southgate has instilled.
Harry Kane's opening goal was the trigger for England to run riot, Macedonia reduced to wrecks and this, remember, was a team that had won away against Germany and, famously, Italy during qualification for the last World Cup.
England were too quick, too assured and they accelerated smoothly to a fourth win of the campaign in four attempts, bringing the season to the most satisfying of conclusions. It was certainly a far cry from the end of the previous one. Hungary at Molineux, anyone?
Saka was the star turn, finishing lethal, his second a belter; a glorious celebration of his technique and confidence. Kane sent him through for the hat-trick goal and, when Southgate substituted him on 58 minutes, it was to hugs and a great ovation.
Kane would make it 7-0 from the penalty spot, Southgate then substituting him - no hat-trick for the captain while Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips, on as a substitute, were England's other scorers. The referee would blow for full-time bang on 90 minutes and, for Macedonia, it was the only time they could feel relief.
この記事は The Guardian の June 20, 2023 版に掲載されています。
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この記事は The Guardian の June 20, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
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