Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka watched as his club teammate David Raya lifted the Euro 2024 trophy on Sunday night, with Spain securing a deserved victory with a late winner. Despite the defeat, Saka received significant praise from the English media for his individual efforts.
Matt Law of The Telegraph noted that Saka “terrified Cucurella every time he got the ball,” highlighting that “it was from a Saka run and pass that the ball eventually fell to Palmer to score England’s equalizer.” Law described Saka as “simply unplayable in full flight,” stating that he “scared the living daylights out of defenders at this tournament.”
Rob Draper of The Guardian wrote that Saka’s speed “terrified Spain,” emphasizing that “his cross got England back in the game,” and adding that the winger was “good early on too.”
Ben Grounds for Sky Sports described Saka as “always capable of making things happen and the one player who has regularly got fans off their seats in Germany.”
Craig Hope in the Daily Mail argued that Saka was “again the best of the attacking starters,” praising him for having “the intent others just do not show at times” and highlighting the key role Saka played in England’s goal.
Saka was instrumental in England reaching the final, with his brilliant solo effort and penalty-shootout goal saving the team from quarter-final elimination against Switzerland.
However, despite the accolades from the media, the praise may provide little consolation. Saka will now have a few weeks off before rejoining Arsenal next month, as the first members of the squad begin their pre-season training today.