Wembley brought the lowest moment of Bukayo Saka’s career but Wembley has also witnessed further proof he has displayed the strength of character and talent to respond to his Euro 2020 penalty miss. An assist and a goal put England on the fast track to Euro 2024, just as Saka’s own journey to redemption has been swift. As Arsenal can testify, he has a capacity to be the difference maker and an ability to elevate games with a lovely left foot and his footballing intelligence. It seems equally useful in the international game.
After three goals in the World Cup, Saka’s second in the national stadium for the national team completed a salvo to see off Ukraine. He had been supplier before he was scorer and it was entirely unsurprising who broke the deadlock. Harry Kane’s record of 54 goals for England lasted for three days, before he extended it to 55. He was presented with a golden boot beforehand to mark his achievement in overhauling Wayne Rooney’s tally; his daughters were mascots and it was entirely typical that Kane marked the occasion with a goal. There can be a routine feel to his exploits but, on a day when England were without Marcus Rashford, Mason Mount, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden, they needed someone to step up.
