England manager, Gareth Southgate has hailed his team for a “ruthless” win over North Macedonia in UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying.
Bukayo Saka’s hat-trick plus a brace from Harry Kane and goals from Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips saw England hammer North Macedonia 7-0 at Old Trafford, Manchester, which meant that the Three Lions stay top of Qualifying Group C.
England’s win also completed the conclusion of a long season in English Football due to the 2022 FIFA World Cup taking place between November – December in Qatar.
Southgate was especially impressed with the “mentality” of his players despite many having played over 60 matches for club and country in the last 10 months, having felt that that his squad had “every excuse” to take their feet off the gas due to fatigue.
Explaining why their attitude was crucial to the result, Southgate commented: “There were boys coming back from the biggest week of their lives professionally.
“We had boys who had two weeks on the beach and could have approached that differently, but I think what we are trying to build was apparent for everyone tonight.”
Southgate also praised the “buzzing” 70,708 supporters at Old Trafford for creating a “fabulous atmosphere” which motivated his players on an “immaculate” pitch.
The ex Middlesbrough manager added that he was particularly happy with how his players responded to a tough first-half challenge from North Macedonia, as he said: “What pleased me the most was that every time we lost the ball the hunger to win it back really set the tone for the performance.
“Then the quality of the play was good, and the finishing was ruthless.”
This time last summer saw fans calling for Southgate to be sacked after a disastrous start to their Nations League campaign, which ultimately saw them relegated to League B.
Southgate has since led the Three Lions to the World Cup Quarter-Finals and have conceded just one goal in their four UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers so far in 2023.
Reflecting upon his team’s turnaround in fortunes, Southgate said: “It’s a group of players and staff that’s a privilege to lead and our performances since the World Cup have been impeccable.
“I think we’re in a sweet spot where we were happy with what we did but we had a hunger because we weren’t satisfied with where we got to.”
Southgate nevertheless iterated that their “tough year” has brought them closer together as a team in order to saviour fantastic results, as he added: “Nights like this are great and you enjoy it but they are possible because of what we have been through on other nights – that’s part of being a team.”
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