BUKAYO SAKA sent England fans into raptures when he found the back of the net in their World Cup qualifier against Andorra – and manager Gareth Southgate hopes his goal will provide closure to his Euro 2020 heartache.
The Arsenal winger closed out The Three Lions’ rout of the Andorrans at Wembley on Sunday by scoring the fourth goal of the match.
Saka, 20, headed home a Jesse Lingard cross in the 85th minute past a despairing Josep Gomes.
The Gunners ace – who was subjected to vile racist abuse after missing the crucial penalty in England’s Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy – received the loudest cheer of the match after scoring.
The birthday boy said of his goal: “The perfect birthday present for me.
“I am really happy we got the win and I can celebrate my birthday with this.”
Footie fans up and down the country rallied around the youngster after he was subjected to horrific abuse.
The Arsenal academy product said: “[I’m] really happy with the support everyone gave me.
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“It shows how proud they are, I’m happy we could give them the win.
“It means a lot and it made a difference to me, hearing fans cheer my name made me believe everyone supports me.
“This is what I dream about, playing at Wembley in front of my family on my 20th birthday.”
England boss Gareth Southgate was over the moon with Saka’s goal, smiling with delight after seeing him head home.
The 51-year-old said: “He got a fabulous reception before the game and during the game.
“It is lovely, you can see how popular he is with the team as well.”
He added: “I hope closure if it was needed but I don’t think there is a player in that dressing room who thinks anything but positively about what he did all summer.”
England watching the game at home were delighted to see Saka get his name on the scoresheet.
One tweeted: “He deserved his goal.”
Another said: “So happy for the boy.”
And another said: “So happy for Saka. Deserves it.”
One remarked: “Big up Bukayo Saka. Buzzing he’s got a goal.”
Southgate rang in eleven changes for the visit of the Andorrans, who provided little resistance for his troops.
He said: “[It was] difficult for the players picked who didn’t have as much games together.
“You have to keep moving the ball, keep being patient. It wasn’t an easy task.”
England’s destruction of the Andorrans saw them maintain their 100 per cent start to their World Cup qualifying campaign.
Southgate’s troops have 12 points to their name following their first four fixtures, in which they’ve scored 13 goals and conceded one.
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