Euro 2024 Qualifiers: Saka's Hat-Trick Triumph Propels England, while Wales' Consecutive Losses Spell Trouble

Sensational Saka caps stunning season

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England's Bukayo Saka scored his first hat-trick against North Macedonia

Bukayo Saka concluded a grueling season with an exceptional display in his 58th game for both club and country, showcasing his immense talent by scoring his inaugural hat-trick in a truly remarkable fashion.

Each of Saka's goals exemplified the new level of effectiveness he has incorporated into his playing style. The first goal was executed with precision, as he executed a rapid turn and unleashed a devastating finish from a difficult angle. The second goal was even more impressive, as he unleashed an unstoppable thunderbolt from outside the box, courtesy of a pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Saka's impressive strikes showcased his remarkable ability to execute spectacular shots and demonstrate his prowess in striking the ball. However, it was the third goal that truly highlighted his composure as he skillfully received Harry Kane's pass and calmly slotted it into the net, displaying the calmness and precision of a seasoned player.

Part of what makes performances like this so exhilarating is Saka's young age. Despite his youth, he consistently delivers outstanding performances for both his country and his club. This season, Saka not only achieved double figures in goals and assists for Arsenal but also established himself as one of Gareth Southgate's most crucial players.

Contrast and compare. England concluded the previous season with a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Hungary, leaving supporters inside Molineux demanding Gareth Southgate's dismissal. However, twelve months later, the England manager and his players joyfully celebrated a remarkable 7-0 victory over North Macedonia, alongside fans at Old Trafford.

What a difference a year makes - but next 12 months huge for Southgate and England

The talented group of players showcased their attacking potential in a compelling performance, solidifying England's path towards securing a spot at Euro 2024 in Germany. This time, Southgate will enter his summer break with a much-improved state of mind.

However, the pressure and anticipation will inevitably intensify over the next year as the upcoming major tournament draws near. The disappointment of last winter's World Cup, characterized by the frustrating quarter-final defeat to France, felt like a squandered chance. England cannot afford to let the same opportunity slip away again.

The upcoming Euros will be a crucial moment that will determine the legacy of Southgate and the current generation of players on the international stage. If they can build upon the positive aspects from their recent qualifiers against North Macedonia and Malta and apply them to the upcoming challenging matches, it is only natural for fans to feel optimistic and hopeful. However, it is important to remember that the disappointing performance against Hungary during the summer did not define their fate in Qatar. Similarly, this final push in the 2023/24 season should be seen as a stepping stone towards the approaching summer tournament.

There are unanswered questions regarding the composition of the midfield and strategies to strategically outsmart the top managers in the game. These challenges can now be approached with a positive mindset. Peter Smith

Wales qualification hopes drift into Black Sea

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Wales' chances of qualifying for Germany are slipping away under Robert Page's leadership. Following back-to-back defeats in June, Wales have only managed to win one out of their last 12 games across all competitions. Additionally, they have suffered four losses in their previous five away matches.

The shortcomings exposed in Monday's final 2-0 loss against Turkey have been a culmination of a few years, leaving the Welsh FA with the decision to determine whether Page is the appropriate individual to address these issues. Turkey's Umut Nayir and Arda Güler both found the back of the net for the first time, coming on as substitutes, while Page faced limited options following Joe Morrell's somewhat controversial red card.

Wales have faced another setback with a player being sent off for the second consecutive game, this time it was Kieffer Moore against Armenia. This unfortunate incident comes at a particularly difficult period for Wales, as they navigate a transition phase following the retirement of key players like Gareth Bale. Furthermore, their defensive vulnerabilities were once again exposed by the 97th-ranked team in the world last Friday, leaving manager Page with a challenging task ahead.

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Joe Morrell was sent off for a reckless challenge

Ben Cabango was brought on to replace Brennan Johnson, as the team adopted a defensive formation with five players at the back. This tactical change suggested that they were content with securing a draw. Although Harry Wilson had a chance to secure an unexpected victory with a free-kick, and despite Danny Ward's impressive penalty saves, it seemed inevitable that they would eventually suffer the consequences. Former striker Rob Earnshaw expressed his concern, stating that this match became a must-win situation due to Armenia's victory over Latvia, which added pressure on Wales. Earnshaw also noted that he was disappointed with the team's reaction, indicating that there is much for them to learn from this experience. Overall, it has been a challenging camp for the Welsh team.

During my time in the team, we were tasked with improving upon the achievements of football icons like Gary Speed and Chris Coleman. We implemented changes to enhance our game. However, at present, it is challenging for me to identify any progress we have made, as our style of play remains unchanged and we are facing consequences for it.

Page urged his players to deliver a performance that would make the fans proud, but unfortunately, they were unable to meet this expectation. The final score of 2-0 could have easily been 3-0 or even 4-0. Wales appears to be defensively vulnerable, leaving ample openings for the opposition.

There was no response to the Armenia disaster, leaving Wales' chances of qualifying for Euro 2024 in serious jeopardy. In Samsun, a significant coastal town on the Black Sea, these aspirations are fading away unnoticed. Ben Grounds

Ferguson and Johnston provide much-needed Irish inspiration

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Given his side's consecutive defeats at the beginning of Euro 2024 Qualifying, Stephen Kenny must have felt a great sense of relief to have Gibraltar as the next opponent on the Republic of Ireland's fixture list.

Given Gibraltar's track record of losing every qualifier they have played, it was quite peculiar for Kenny to opt for a lineup with three centre-backs. Although Ireland struggled in the first half, credit must be given to the manager for acknowledging his mistake at halftime and bringing in the promising Michael Johnston for the second half.

Ireland's performance, which had been lackluster until then, received a much-needed boost from the winger. He had spent the season on loan at Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes from Celtic and recently switched his international allegiance from Scotland. Another standout player was Evan Ferguson, who effectively led the line and capped off his breakthrough season with yet another well-deserved goal.

Ireland's chances of advancing from Group B may be slim, and it will take more than a win over Gibraltar for Kenny to prove himself as the rightful leader of his country. However, the presence of Ferguson and Johnston should instill hope among supporters for the future.

Northern Ireland hopes hang by a thread

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Northern Ireland's hopes of qualifying for Euro 2024 took another blow as they succumbed to a defeat against Kazakhstan. Despite their previous reputation for exceeding expectations on the international stage, exemplified by their impressive performance at Euro 2016, the fading of that reputation is becoming evident.

Michael O'Neill's comeback as the national team's head coach was anticipated to revive the resilient Northern Ireland squad. However, they have disappointingly failed to meet those expectations, putting their Euro 2024 aspirations in jeopardy.

A hopeful crowd gathered at Windsor Park for the Monday Qualifier against Kazakhstan, a team ranked 50 places below them in the FIFA rankings. Nevertheless, this match served as a stark reminder of Northern Ireland's recent lack of progress.

Kazakhstan secured their third win in Group H, solidifying their bid for a debut in a major tournament. On the other hand, Northern Ireland experienced their third loss in the campaign, with their sole victory coming against underdogs San Marino. The boos echoing through Windsor Park at the final whistle spoke volumes, emphasizing the realization that the Green and White Army may have missed out on yet another tournament.