England star Saka can’t stop smiling in ‘loveable’ interview

BUKAYO SAKA couldn't stop smiling after helping fire England into the Euro 2024 semis.

The Three Lions looked to be heading out of the tournament after Breel Embolo scored the game's opener after 75 minutes.

But, less than five minutes later, Saka stepped up to be England's hero.

The Arsenal star cut inside from his new position at right wing-back to level the scores with a brilliant curling effort from the edge of the box.

Both sides had chances to win it in extra-time before the game, inevitably, drifted towards penalties.

And, with England 2-1 up in spot-kicks after Jordan Pickford's save from Manuel Akanji, up stepped Saka with the chance to put England in command.

Saka coolly fired past Yann Sommer, dispelling memories of his heartbreaking miss in the final loss to Italy at Euro 2020.

All five of England's takers converted to make it a perfect set of pens, with England going on to win the shoot out 5-3.

Speaking to the BBC after the game, Saka could not contain his joy after being asked where the game ranked in terms of his England experiences.

The forward said: "I'm gonna put it up there. I'm gonna put it up there, for sure it was special, the way we fought back.

"To go to penalties as well, the last time we went to penalties we all know what happened so I'm so proud of everyone that we got it over the line."

Asked if he felt like the game was getting away from England he said: "No, I believed. I felt like we dominated the whole game. We knew the chance would come and it did come and I was the one that took it.

"So yeah, I'm proud of myself as well for that."

When the camera switched back to the BBC studio, host Gary Lineker was full of praise for the "wonderful" England star.

He said: "What a wonderful young man. He is so likeable and so brilliant."

While Beeb pundit Rio Ferdinand added: "Everything about him just comes off as so positive. You can't help but love him not only for his football but his personality and his character.

"I'd go as far to say that he's England's most important player because he's so different to everybody else. He's the one that will run at people and beat them one on one and go in behind.

"Even today, he played a wing back position today but he is a winger. He's such a talented player."

Reacting to the interview on X, one fan said: "Smiling like an idiot watching that Saka interview in the pub."

Another said: "Corr got a bit dusty during that Bukayo Saka interview."

And a third said: "Tears in my eyes watching Saka’s interview, that’s our starboy."

Saka was one of a number of England stars that received disgraceful racist abuse for missing a penalty in England's last shoot-out at the Euros.

He had his penalty saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma as Italy beat England in the Euro 2020 final after coming on as a substitute.