This was the perfect way to end the longest season ever.
A thumping win, a brilliant hat-trick from England’s best young talent and a message of intent ahead of next summer’s Euros. Bukayo Saka kissed the match ball after scoring his third - the first hat trick of his senior career - and then went off to a standing ovation and a giant hug from Gareth Southgate after being substituted.
England have got a world class star in the making, a real gem on their hands, and you can tell his popularity and lovely manner from the way he was high-fived by everyone on the bench. Saka, aged 21 and 287 days, is the youngest player to score a hat trick for England since Theo Walcott - then aged 19 and 178 days - got a treble against Croatia in September 2008.
But it was also a night when everything came together for England because Harry Kane scored twice while Marcus Rashford answered any doubts about his stop-start international career. Trent Alexander-Arnold delivered another hugely promising performance in midfield to give England real belief he has a long term future there.
Shining in a whitewash against Malta was one thing, looking good against a North Macedonia side quite another. The scoreline makes it look easy - and it was - but they are the team which put Italy out of the World Cup in a play-off last year. It was also the first time England have beaten them in three attempts at home and the sell-out Old Trafford crowd loved it as Southgate’s men racked up a cricket score on a good night for Gazball.
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Southgate has let off the shackles and there was a party atmosphere when Jack Grealish even came on in the second half to a huge ovation. No matter what Southgate made of Grealish’s Treble celebrations, the fans just love Jack The Lad and he was another reason why this was a victory to live long in the memory.
It is four straight wins in Group C, they are halfway there and no opponent will fancy facing England’s forward line next summer. England had to wait until the 29th minute for the opener when Rashford’s perfectly-timed pass released Luke Shaw and his cut back was perfect for Kane to fire home with a left foot shot.
Alexander-Arnold was involved in the next goal as he linked up with Kyle Walker who fed the ball into Saka and the Arsenal winger smashed the ball into the roof of the net. Rashford made it 3-0 after 44 minutes. Kane chased down the ball, Jordan Henderson then played it to Rashford who steered it into the far corner.
Yet it got even better. Alexander-Arnold released Saka when controlled it on the half volley before then hitting a stunning, dipping left foot shot into the roof of the net. That was easily the best goal of the night. There was still more to come from Saka. Alexander-Arnold was involved again before Kane’s through ball released Saka this time and the England No. 7 went clean through, held his nerve and then fired past the keeper. 5-0.
Southgate rang the changes and Grealish quickly got in on the act. His cross found Kane who knocked the ball on and there was Kalvin Phillips to fire home into an empty net from point blank range. England made it 7-0 after 73 minutes. John Stones was pulled down in the box by substitute Egzon Bejtulai and England were gifted a penalty. Kane made no mistake from the spot and scored with his last touch before being substituted.
