Arsenal star Bukayo Saka helped England get their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign off to the perfect start on Thursday night.
The Gunners ace was a thorn in Italy’s side as Gareth Southgate’s charges ran out 2-1 winners in Naples.
Saka’s corners caused the Azzurri significant problems in the first half.
One led to Declan Rice’s opener, while another resulted in the penalty which Harry Kane converted.
Saka also did his bit defensively, tracking back and making several important contributions inside his own box.
Sadly, the Arsenal ace found himself the subject of numerous challenges and fouls.
Southgate went on to take Saka off midway through the second half, and luckily, he appeared unscathed.
Although Italy improved in form after the interval and threatened England, the visitors held on for all three points.
It was very much a game of two halves, with the Three Lions bossing the Euro 2020 winners before the break.
‘Italy can’t deal’
At half-time, BBC Sport pundit Rob Green sung Saka’s praises on Radio 5 Live.
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Indeed, he lauded England’s performance as a whole up until that point.
Green also name-dropped Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane as standouts along Saka.
Brilliant half for England,” he said, as transcribed on the BBC Sport website.
“They rode the storm after five minutes but it has been plain sailing ever since. They’ve looked confident on the ball.
“Jude Bellingham has been on another level and has bossed midfield.
Italy can’t deal with Bukayo Saka, they can’t deal with Harry Kane and they can’t deal with the set-pieces.
“It has been a fantastic half for England.”
Saka really is a star for club and country.
Hopefully it won’t be long before the £70,000-a-week ace gets his long-awaited extension and pay-rise.
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