Saka feels the England love with scoring return to Wembley

LONDON - Cheers from the Wembley crowd made their affection for Bukayo Saka clear the moment the England line-up was announced.

There were even louder roars as the birthday boy headed in the final goal in a 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Andorra on Sunday.

"It really made a difference for me," said 20-year-old Saka. "I could hear so many fans cheering my name."

How different from 56 days earlier, when England last played at Wembley. When Saka missed England's last penalty in the final European Championship loss to Italy. When the young man was the target of a torrent of racist abuse on social media, leading to police investigations and arrests.

Saka was filled with love when she returned from her summer vacation to Arsenal to find a wall covered with messages of support in training ground.

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It was returning to Wembley that allowed Saka to see the warmth of true England fans after that abominable abuse that social media companies were slow to remove.

"I'm very happy with the reception everyone gave me," Saka said. “It really showed how proud they are of me. I think that meant a lot to me and made me want to give it my all. "

That was clear to England manager Gareth Southgate.

"I look forward to closure, if necessary," he said. "You can see how popular he is with the rest of the team."

Saka's impact was evident early on with a cross that prepared Jesse Lingard to score England's only goal of the first half against the Pyrenees football minnows.

Lingard doubled his tally for the night by scoring the third for the hosts, finishing from the edge of the area with Andorra goalkeeper Josep Gomes, only able to put a hand on his low shot.

England's second goal in the 72nd minute saw captain Harry Kane score his 40th international goal from a penalty after Mason Mount was brought down.

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After Lingard scored his second, it was Saka who had the last word. It left Southgate beaming when he nodded from the Trent Alexander-Arnold cross in the 85th minute.

It triggered the loudest celebrations of the night from fans.

"It makes me believe they support me through thick and thin," Saka said.

England hold a six-point advantage in Group I over Albania, which beat Hungary 1-0 on Sunday. Poland, in third place, would play later on Sunday against San Marino, who is last with zero points, before hosting England on Wednesday. Only the best team automatically qualify for the tournament in Qatar in November 2022 and the group runners-up must go through the playoffs.

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