PLAYER EVALUATIONS: Bukayo Saka is the star man after his first professional hat-trick in England’s demolition of North Macedonia, while Kane and Rashford were also fearless in attack.
England secured four wins from four in Euro 2024 qualifying Group C as they comfortably eliminated North Macedonia 7-0 at Old Trafford.
Captain Harry Kane got the first just before the half-hour mark, before Bukayo Saka made it 2-0 nine minutes later. On the eve of halftime, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford made it 3-0 at halftime.
Saka got two more after the break, to secure his first hat-trick in an England shirt, while Kane got a second from the penalty spot and Kalvin Phillips also scored.
It was a very comfortable display from England, who continued their dominant form in home qualifying and took a step closer to next year’s European Championships in Germany.
Here, Sports MailIt is Dominic King rate players England 7-0 North Macedonia:
Bukayo Saka scored the first hat-trick of his career in England’s dominating win on Monday
Harry Kane opened and closed the scoring in England’s 7-0 win over North Macedonia
England 4-3-3
Jordan Pickford 6
Barely touched the ball. It was his 53rd England cap – few have been calmer.
Kyle Walker 7
Walked through like it was a practice game. A nice sparkling pass paved the way for Saka to open his account.
John Stones 6.5
In terms of defence, training at City would be more difficult. Won the penalty for England’s seventh.
Harry Maguire 6
The first task was to bring a ball home in the fourth minute, which he did. Never tested afterwards.
Luke Shaw looked like a left midfielder during England’s first-half dominance.
Luke Shaw 7
So forefoot in the first half, he looked like a left midfielder. Put Kane’s first goal on a plate for him.
Declan Rice 7
Reserved for an inopportune challenge. No need to persist with him once the game is won.
Trent Alexandre-Arnold 7
The No 10 shirt rests comfortably on his shoulders. Great vision and nice pass to create Saka’s second.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had great vision to play a great pass to create Saka’s second goal
Jordan Henderson 7
Full of energy and aggressiveness to set the tone. Added shine to his performance with an assist for Rashford.
Bukayo Saka 9
The young man who always puts a smile on your face. Produces three super finishes.
Harry Kane 8
A nasty clash of headers early on proved no obstacle for him as he scored for the sixth game in a row against England and provided two assists.
Marcus Rashford 8
Glad to be on his own turf. It seemed inevitable that he would score past the Stretford End.
It seemed inevitable that Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford would score at the Stretford End
Substitutes
Gallagher (Henderson, 58 mins)
Grealish (Rashford, 58)
Foden (Saka, 59)
Phillips (Rice, 59)
Wilson (Kane, 74)
Jack Grealish came off the bench for his first game since Champions League celebrations
Coach: Gareth Southgate 7
Spent the week preaching to his team the importance of this game and the level of focus he got from them was exemplary.
Referee: Istvan Kovacs (Romania) 6
Very little to dismay him. Let the game play out and make all the right decisions, though Rice could argue his booking was tough.
North Macedonia (3-5-2)
Dimitrievsky 4; Ristovski 4 (Bezhtulai 46min, 5), Zajkov 5 (Serafimov 57, 5), Velkovski 4; Ashkovsky 5, Elmas 5, Ademi 4 (Atanasov 58.5), Bardhi 5 (David Babunski 67.5), Alioski 4; Trajkovski 5 (Dorian Babunski 57, 5), Nestorovski 5.
Coach: Blagoja Milevski
Turnout: 70,708
