Fan reaction 'means everything' to Saka

Bukayo Saka said the England fans’ reaction towards him during Sunday’s 4-0 win over Andorra ‘means everything to me’ after the Three Lions forward marked his 20th birthday in style.

Saka received the biggest reception from the 67,171 fans inside Wembley Stadium connected by EE before, during and after the game, as England supporters looked to show their support after the Arsenal forward’s penalty miss during the UEFA EURO 2020 Final defeat to Italy.

Sunday was the first time the Three had played in front of the England fans at Wembley Stadium connected by EE since the UEFA EURO 2020 Final and Saka headed in the fourth goal during the victory over Andorra.

Saka said: “It was the perfect present for me. I’m really happy we got the win and to celebrate my birthday like this. 

“I’m really happy with the reception everyone gave me. I think it really shows how proud they are of me and that meant a lot to me. 

“It made me want to give my all and I’m happy mostly that we got the win today.

“It means a lot [to get the response from the fans]. It really made a difference to me, even just now I can hear so many fans cheering my name - so it means everything to me.

“It makes me believe that everyone supports me which is nice. 

England dominated the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Andorra from start to finish.

But the opposition made the Three Lions work for the victory, as they limited Gareth Southgate’s men to just Jesse Lingard’s first-half goal inside the opening 71 minutes.

— Bukayo Saka (@BukayoSaka87) September 5, 2021

The Three Lions’ pressure ultimately told though, as Harry Kane came off the bench to score a penalty, Lingard added his second and Saka headed in a cross to make it 4-0.

And Saka said: “This is what I dreamed about, to play at Wembley in front of my family, full crowd and score on my 20th birthday. I’m really happy.” 

England currently top their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying group with five wins from five, heading into Wednesday night's trip to Poland.