June 20 – England and France made it four straight wins in European Championship qualifying on Monday while Switzerland dropped its first points.

Bukayo Saka netted a hat-trick in the 7-0 rout of North Macedonia as England, beaten finalists in the last Euros, tightened their grip at the top of Group C.

Skipper Harry Kane added two more to extend his England record with his 57th and 58th international goals.

Saka is the first Arsenal player to score a hat-trick for England and the youngest since Theo Walcott in 2008 against Croatia.

Following elimination in the World Cup quarterfinals in Qatar, England are rekindling optimism that Euro 2024 could deliver a first trophy since the 1966 World Cup.

“Post World Cup I think we’ve hit a sweet spot where there is a hunger to go further than we’ve been and a desire to keep pushing forward,” manager Gareth Southgate said. “That’s a good place to be.”

England are not the only ones who look set for next year’s finals after amassing a perfect 12 points. Kylian Mbappé slotted a penalty at the second attempt as France edged visiting Greece 1-0 in Group B to reach the same margin. Mbappé’s twice-taken spotkick moved him on to 40 goals for Les Bleus, one behind Michel Platini.

Switzerland dropped their first points in a 2-2 home draw with Romania in Group I despite seemingly coasting to victory. Substitute Valentin Mihăilă pounced in the 89th and again in stoppage time for second-placed Romania in Lucerne.

With Croatia involved in the Nations League, Turkey moved further ahead at the top of Group D with a 2-0 home win against Euro 2016 semi-finalist Wales who now seem virtually doomed.

In group H Finland and Kazakhstan both won and are level on nine points.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1687263706labto1687263706ofdlr1687263706owedi16872[email protected]