Even the most pointless of football matches can have some meaning

The triumphant return of Bukayo Saka to the scene of one of his lowest lows was heartwarming, writes Ben Burrows

Bukayo Saka heads home England’s fourth goal at Wembley on Sunday (PA)

It is often difficult to find a point in certain England football matches.

Not the all-or-nothing tournament games against the likes of Germany or Italy, of course, or indeed important qualifying ties like the one in Budapest last week or the upcoming tilt against Poland on Wednesday.

It is the other category of games that often rankle, however. The match against the minnow.

Sunday’s meeting with Andorra certainly falls into that group.

The world’s 154th ranked side were never likely to cause even a second-string Three Lions team many problems. So it proved, with Jesse Lingard scoring twice in a 4-0 win as Gareth Southgate’s squad players made the most of a rare run out.

And while the manager’s impending selection headache is certainly one positive to take, the triumphant return of one player to the scene of one of his lowest lows is definitely another.

Two short months ago it was Bukayo Saka’s penalty miss that sealed England’s defeat to Italy in the final of Euro 2020.

The tears shed on that fateful July evening will stay with him forever, as will the despicable racist abuse he and teammates Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho suffered in the ugly aftermath of that game.

But the rapturous ovation he received from the 67,171 in attendance at Wembley on Sunday was only bettered by the noise that greeted his late headed goal, scored at the same end of the stadium he so fatefully missed at 56 days ago.

“I’m really happy with the reception everyone gave me, that meant a lot for me and made me want to give my all,” he said afterwards.

“I think it means a lot, it really made a difference for me, even just now I can hear fans cheering my name. It makes me believe everyone supports me through thick and thin and it’s nice.”

Even the most pointless of football matches have some meaning then.

Yours,

Ben Burrows

Sports editor