Arsenal of England youngster, Bukayo Saka was the unexpected star of the night in The Three Lions’ 1-0 victory over Czech Republic, as both sides played out a feisty last group match at the European Championship, megasportsarena.com reports.
Although Saka could not score during the match at Wembley Stadium in London, the dark-skinned Nigerian-born youngster got his feet into several pivotal points of the game and was always found in the highlights.
However, it was Raheem Sterling that got England’s match-winner once again, as his early header brought victory over Czech Republic, sealing top spot in Group D and setting up a last-16 tie next Tuesday with either France, Germany, Portugal or Hungary.
Sterling’s 12th minute lone goal made the difference against Croatia in England’s opening match of Euro 2020 and he doubled his tally for the tournament with a close-range header from Jack Grealish’s excellent cross, after earlier hitting the post inside two minutes.
England were without Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell, who had been forced to isolate after Scotland’s Billy Gilmour tested positive for coronavirus, but played with an attacking freedom in the first half.
Such flair had been missing from their first two group games, with 19-year-old Saka benched for them, but he turned up this time as a standout performer on his first start of the competition, while Harry Kane has failed to score in three, having been denied by a good save.
The Czechs gave as good as they got, with Tomas Holes forcing Jordan Pickford into a good stop and Tomas Soucek shot wide, and the visitors controlled possession for long periods in the second half, with sub Tomas Pekhart dragging a shot just wide.
Late on, England had a Jordan Henderson goal ruled out for offside in the closing moments but at the other end they held firm, recording three clean sheets in a major tournament group stage for the first time since the 1966 World Cup.
The Three Lions will now turn their attentions to what will surely be a far stiffer examination from one of Europe’s heavyweights back at Wembley next week, ahead of which Saka basks in the euphoria of his official recognition as man of the match on Tuesday.
The technical verdict for Saka read in part: “England’s driving force to turn possession into penetration. A surprise inclusion ahead of Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, but justified his inclusion after barely 10 minutes.
“He instigated England’s opening goal with a quick-footed break through midfield. In large part due to Scotland’s teenager star, this England has surely played his way into England’s last-16 starting XI.”
Saka took to social media to express his delight and he posted thus: “Special to play and win this trophy with my family in the stadium tonight ❤️ Most importantly we got the three points and topped the group! Now onto the knockout stages.”
