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MotM Bukayo Saka fulfils childhood dream as Jack Grealish steals his headline

Bukayo Saka capped off a great week with his first goal for England, fulfilling a dream he’s held since he was a child.

Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their side s first goal of the game during the International Friendly at The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. Picture date: Wednesday June 2, 2021. Copyright: Lindsey Parnaby
Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their side s first goal of the game during the International Friendly at The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough. Picture date: Wednesday June 2, 2021. Copyright: Lindsey Parnaby

As England get their Euro preparations underway, Bukayo Saka proved Gareth Southgate right for selecting him by scoring England’s only goal of the game, which also happened to be the winner against Austria as the Three Lions registered a 1-0 win.

Tweeting after the game, Saka said “The moment I always dreamt of growing up,” along with a video of the goal you can see below:

Despite picking him as their Man of the Match and noting that he was kicked an awful lot, the Daily Mail somehow preferred to give their headline to Jack Grealish:

Daily Mail England match report
Daily Mail England match report
Daily Mail England player ratings, Bukayo Saka named Man of the Match
Daily Mail England player ratings, Bukayo Saka named Man of the Match

4 reasons given for Bukayo Saka’s England Euro squad inclusion

After calling Bukayo Saka up to his final list of 26 for the European Championships, England boss Gareth Southgate has explained why he did so.

HEVERLEE, BELGIUM: Bukayo Saka of England in action during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Belgium and England at King Power at Den Dreef Stadion on November 15, 2020. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
HEVERLEE, BELGIUM: Bukayo Saka of England in action during the UEFA Nations League group stage match between Belgium and England at King Power at Den Dreef Stadion on November 15, 2020. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Bukayo Saka was one of the lucky 26 to make Gareth Southgate’s final England squad for the European Championships on Tuesday, avoiding being one of the seven players cut from the initial 33-man shortlist.

The second-youngest member of the group, it’s an encouraging sign of the faith in Saka that he’s been selected to join his country for a major international tournament.

Speaking to the media after the decision was confirmed, Southgate explained how Saka had made the cut.

“Firstly, he has performed exceptionally well for us and well in a team that has had a difficult season,” Southgate said.

“Sometimes young players can go into teams that are playing well and flourish. He’s gone into a team that have had a tough season and has really played with character as well as skill.

“Again we saw when he had to come on in Belgium [last autumn] real personality in his performance. His adaptability, the fact he can play four or five different positions is a real plus for us.”

Saka has made four appearances for England since his senior international debut in October. He could have made more, after being called up over the March break, but an injury held him back on that occasion.

The 19-year-old is likely to get another chance to impress in one of England’s pre-tournament friendlies, particularly as the squad is currently somewhat weakened by a few injuries and the late arrival of those featuring in European finals last week.

England face Austria at 20:00 BST on Wednesday, 2nd June, then Romania at 17:00 BST on Sunday, 6th June.

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