It was another superb night in what has been a terrific season for Raheem Sterling as he scored three goals to get England's Euro 2020 qualifying campaign off to the best possible start.
Manchester City's forward now has seven goals in four starts for March as he took his club form onto international duty with him .
As well as impressing with his performances, the 24-year-old is also becoming a commanding figure on the pitch. In the 7-0 win over Schalke earlier this month, David Silva handed over the captain's armband as he walked off the pitch.
“I feel proud. David insisted I take the armband so that was something great to see and hear," Sterling told Sport360.
“It was something I was immensely happy to do, to captain the team on a night like that. I know it wasn’t at the start of the game, but for him to give me that responsibility was amazing.”
Man City's Raheem Sterling pays Damary Dawkins tribute in England hat-trick
Sterling, who dedicated one of his goals at Wembley to a Dagenham schoolboy with leukaemia that sadly passed away on Wednesday, has also grown into a role model for England youngsters; Jadon Sancho is one of the players coming through that look up to the City star.
That has been recognised by Gareth Southgate, who has promoted the player in the squad.
"I've put him into the leadership group that we have," the England manager said.
"I think he's showing those signs, I think he's a role model for the younger players coming in. He's really focused on his training and his preparation and I think he's enjoyed that extra responsibility as well."
Gary Lineker sums up how England fans feel after Raheem Sterling's hat-trick
