Saka removes the thorn: “Everyone knows what happened and recovering from something like that is really difficult”
On July 11, 2021, Bukayo Ayoyinka Temidayo Saka (Ealing, 5-9-2001) experienced the worst night of his still budding career as a footballer.England lost the Euro 2020 final, on penalties, against Italy (1-1, 3-2 pen.) after the Arsenal winger, who was only 19 at the time, the fifth and final one will fail.
Social networks were suddenly filled with threats and insults, mostly racist, against Saka, Rashford and Sanchowho also failed their maximum sentences. “I don’t want any child or adult to have to receive the messages of hate and pain that I do”lamented the ‘Gunner’ winger, who, immediately afterwards, promised: “We will give everything we have to make sure this generation knows what it feels like to win.”
England 1-1 Switzerland: summary, goals and penalties | Euro Cup (Quarterfinals)
Three years later, Saka was able to get rid of the thorn against Switzerland (1-1) to get the ‘three lions’ into the semis. The English ‘7’, designated ‘MVP’, forced extra time in the 80th minute with an extraordinary left-footed whip from the front.
“We were dominating. “I knew we would have a chance, it came to me and I am proud of the part I play.”he admits. “It was our true escape valve with a balloon. He caused Switzerland problems throughout the match and scored the goal that got us back into the game when we needed it most,”argue, not without reason, Harry Kane.
It was our true escape valve with a balloon. He caused Switzerland problems throughout the game and scored the goal that got us back into the game when we needed it most
Saka was the one who shot the most times (3), the one who generated the most chances (4) and the one who completed the most dribbles (4/4). Her target, as if that were not enough, allowed him surpass David Beckham’s three goals between Euro Cups and World Cups. Accumulate four.
England 2-1 Slovakia: summary and goals | Euro Cup (Round of 16)
“This is the smile we all need,” wrote his own ‘Becks’ on ‘Instagram’ about a photo of Saka. “I was amazed when I saw it. Receiving this support from Beckham is something incredible,” he admitted blushing.
The smile ‘Becks’ was referring to had more to do with the relief of see him throw and score -He is the usual shooter at Arsenal- the third penalty of the shootout to definitively bury the ‘ghosts’ of the past. “The last time we played a penalty shootout in a European Championship everyone knows what happenedbut I have faith in God. Recovering from something like that is really difficult and I took advantage of the opportunity,” held the end.
I have faith in god. Recovering from something like this is really difficult and I have taken advantage of the opportunity
“You fail once, but I am one of those who want to put themselves in that situation again. I can’t be thinking about the past. That already happened. “I know there are a lot of nervous people watching, like my family, but I stayed calm and scored my penalty.”he insisted.
“He has shown character after what happened,” praised Jordan Pickford. “I know him and I knew that he would take a step forward, that he would feel comfortable in that situation despite what happened,” Kane noted. “He’s brave and he’s one of our best throwers. We know what happened, but I never doubted he would release one. “I’m proud of him,” he admits. Southgate.
We know what happened, but I never doubted he would release one. I’m proud of him
As much or more than Saka was celebrated by Jadon Sancho himself, which, in a way, was also reflected in that penalty. “Proud of you. “You did it for me and Marcus (Rashford) too, bro.”
England’s ‘7’, however, is not satisfied: he wants to go to the end: “We have two games left that can change our lives. Make history and achieve something that the English team has never achieved before”.
