Arsenal star Bukayo Saka scored the first hat-trick of his career as England brushed North Macedonia aside at Old Trafford.
The 21-year-old put away England's second goal towards the end of the first half with a brutal finish into the roof of the net, after Harry Kane had broken the visitors' resistance. Marcus Rashford added a third at his home club stadium before Saka took centre-stage in the second half.
Saka's second, and England's fourth, was the pick of the goals as he cut in from the right, meeting Trent Alexander-Arnold's speculative ball over the top on the bounce and firing a powerful effort into the back of Stole Dimitrievski's net. Moments later he had the match ball, making no mistake after racing clear, with a cool finish. He duly turned away, a beaming smile, holding up three fingers as he celebrated a first senior treble.
“He’s such a popular boy, humble,” said Andros Townsend, talking on commentary for Channel 4. “He’s so well liked within the squad.”
In the past, some have tried to argue you can be a performer at the highest level or a popular and well-liked player, but never both. Saka has well and truly shown just how ridiculous that line of thinking is.
When Saka left the field shortly before the hour mark, having delivered victory for his country, he did so with a smile on his face. Even manager Gareth Southgate couldn't hide his pleasure and pride, and few if any would deny Saka his moment in the sun.
"This is a feeling I can't really put into words," Saka told Channel 4 after the victory. There's nothing I can say to really describe how I'm feeling right now. I don't know what to say, I'm just so happy.
"I liked the first one but I have to go with the second one [as my favourite]. Volley from outside the box, top corner like that? I have to choose that one."
Former England star Joe Cole was also effusive with his praise. "What a performance and what a lovely lad," said the former Chelsea man during his post-match punditry duties.
"I think that's the face of English football's future, there," he continued. "He performs, he delivers on the big stage. You know, we've seen him do it now at a World Cup as well, he's just such a super talent,
"With all of the great players we've got, he seems to have been number one for Gareth [Southgate] on that right side. He's really secured a place, and you can't be more than pleased for the lad because he does it with a smile on his face and his goal tonight was absolutely outstanding."
In moments like this, much can be made of how fans of rival clubs react. That social media was awash with those jealous of Arsenal for having such a gem - rather than opposition supporters talking down his achievement - says it all.
Saka reached agreement on his new Arsenal contract in May, and many in the red half of North London will claim they weren't worried for even a second. Still, it will be a welcome sight to watch a homegrown talent do everything you've always said he could, with everyone watching.
England's previous three hat-tricks - and four of the last five - had come courtesy of Kane, with the current skipper bagging his first treble at the 2018 World Cup. Kane was just shy of his 25th birthday at that point. Saka is not yet 22.
There was more to come from England after Saka made way, with Kalvin Phillips stroking home his first England goal and Kane scoring his second of the night from the penalty spot. That took nothing away from the hero of the hour, though, and the seven-goal margin almost felt like a tribute to the Arsenal man's squad number.
When Saka broke into the England squad following a breakout campaign at club level, some asked if he could repeat that form for his country. When he suffered heartbreak in the Euro 2020 final, some asked if he could recover.
When he hit double figures for Arsenal in 2021-22, some asked if it was a one-off. When he repeated the feat last season and then some, attention turned back to his international exploits.
Bukayo Saka has answered all of these questions in style, leaving all of us at a crossroads in the months leading up to another tilt at the European Championships. Do we accept he's got no more questions to answer, or do we set his targets even higher, in full knowledge that he won't be fazed by a single one of them?
