Arsenal of England winger, Bukayo Saka has found another splash of superlatives coming his way, following his dashing performance in the European Championship semi-final victory over Denmark, megasportsarena.com reports.
Over he only lasted 69 minutes before he was yanked off Wednesday’s game at Wembley Stadium in London, a cross-section of pundits believe England’s approach to the game was smoother while the Nigerian-born lad was on the pitch.
However, in what looked like a cautionary move to avoid a elapse of an injury that stopped the 19-yewarold lad from featuring in the quarter-final victory over Ukraine, England’s coach, Gareth Southgate opted to rest him for the latter part ofm the midweek clash.
Dramatically, Saka went on to score same eight points with Raheem Sterling, whose run at goal earned England a penalty that was converted at second try by team captain, Harry Kane, who also got eight points.
That put Saka joint-level with England’s best players on the night, with Harry Maguire and Kalvin Philips getting the same rating, but Jack Grealish, who replaced the Nigerian-born lad, ended up with seven points on the pundits’ cards.
The setting apparently led to some doubt among English football purists, who reckoned that Saka’s exit was followed by a lull in their squad’s approach to the game, with Sky Sports insinuating that it would be better if the youngster features for all 90 minutes of Sunday’s final against Italy.
Sky Sports’ verdict for Saka read: “Made things happen. Was willing to take possession even when heavily out-numbered and under pressure but it was his ability to run past his man that was critical in opening up the Danes for England’s equaliser.
“Unfortunate to be hooked after 70 minutes given his prominence as England worked their way on top and the change didn’t really work as Sterling, until the penalty award, lost some of his fizz after switching to the right flank which Saka had occupied.”
