'Special': Harry Kane shares what he found 'unbelievable' about Bukayo Saka's performance against Switzerland

07/07/2024 02:15 AM

Harry Kane has shared what particularly impressed him about the performance of Bukayo Saka as the Arsenal player played a starring role in sending England through to the semi-final of Euro 2024.

For five minutes, it once again appeared that the Three Lions were on course to be knocked out of the tournament, with Breel Embolo giving Switzerland a deserved lead. Thankfully for Gareth Southgate, Bukayo Saka was able to save England with a brilliant strike to equalise from the edge of the penalty box.

And Saka was able to play his part in the penalty shootout, proving to be one of five England players to beat Yann Sommer and secure a spot in the last four.

Saka was given a different role against the Swiss, featuring as more of a wing-back. It is not a role that he is completely unfamiliar with, but it was a huge ask to expect the Arsenal man to impress in a game with such high stakes.

Harry Kane lauds Bukayo Saka after England win

But Saka was the player throughout who looked most likely to make something happen for England, putting in a number of superb crosses – which, in all honesty, Harry Kane should have been on the end of a lot more often.

Speaking on BBC One (broadcast on 6/7; 20:00), Kane suggested that he was so impressed by Saka, particularly considering what was asked of him ahead of the tie.

"Fantastic finish from B. He deserves that. Unbelievable (performance). To play a new position as well. I know he has played there before, but different position to what he is used to,” he said.

“I know he has been eager to help the team and get on the scoresheet. To play the way he did for all 120 minutes, not just with the ball but without the ball as well, you could see at the end he was completely knackered. Then to show and step up and do what he had done and score the penalty in the manner that he had done, really special, So, couldn't be prouder of him and all the boys."

England’s best player

As shown by Whoscored, no player produced more key passes or completed more dribbles on either side than Saka, who also had three attempts on goal.

He has struggled during the tournament, but so has every other England player. And it perhaps must not be forgotten how he grew into the same tournament three years ago, having actually started Euro 2020 on the bench before forcing his way into the side.

He appears to be getting back to his best at the perfect time for England.