ENGLAND’S hero Bukayo Saka beamed in his post match interview after playing a pivotal part in helping England reach the semi-finals of the Euros.
The Three Lions looked to be heading out of the tournament after Breel Embolo scored the game’s opener after 75 minutes.
But less than five minutes later, Saka levelled the scores with a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the box.
Again, he was the hero in the shootout as he scored England’s third penalty to make it 3-1.
All five of England’s takers converted to make it a perfect set of pens, with England going on to win the shoot out 5-3.
Speaking to the BBC after the game, Saka could not contain his joy after being asked where tonight’s game ranked in terms of his England experiences.
The forward said: “I’m gonna put it up there. I’m gonna put it up there, for sure it was special, the way we fought back.
“To go to penalties as well, the last time we went to penalties we all know what happened so I’m so proud of everyone that we got it over the line.”
Asked if he felt like the game was getting away from England he said: “No, I believed. I felt like we dominated the whole game. We knew the chance would come and it did come and I was the one that took it.
“So yeah, I’m proud of myself as well for that.”
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Reacting to the interview, Gary Lineker said: “What a wonderful young man. He is so likeable and so brilliant.”
Rio Ferdinand then said: “Everything about him just comes off as so positive. You can’t help but love him not only for his football but his personality and his character.
“I’d go as far to say that he’s England’s most important player because he’s so different to everybody else. He’s the one that will run at people and beat them one on one and go in behind.
“Even today, he played a wing back position today but he is a winger. He’s such a talented player.”
Speaking on his goal, Micah Richards said: “You thought ‘has he got the curl? Has he got the purchase? And can he finish it off?’ It’s a wonderful finish, it really was.”
Reacting to the interview on X, one fan said: “Smiling like an idiot watching that Saka interview in the pub.”
Another said: “Corr got a bit dusty during that Bukayo Saka interview.”
And a third said: “Tears in my eyes watching Saka’s interview, that’s our starboy.”
Saka was one of a number of England stars that received disgraceful racist abuse for missing a penalty in England’s last shoot-out at the Euros.
He had his penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma as Italy beat England in the Euro 2020 final after coming on as a substitute.
The Arsenal star bravely stepped up to take England’s third penalty today, after firing England back into the game thanks to his stunning equaliser.
