As England's players battled to combat any immediate complacency after Bukayo Saka superbly doubled the Three Lions' lead in their opening World Cup fixture against Iran, Declan Rice, for once, took up a centre-stage role in proceedings.
The midfielder, in his first season as captain of West Ham United at club level, issued a rallying cry to his team-mates on the international stage just seconds before Iran resumed play. Arms aloft, Rice's message was a straightforward one; he wanted more, and so did England. It was clear there was a declaration of intent to be sent to the other 31 nations with their commanding display at the Khalifa International Stadium.
Soon after administering his passionate plea, Rice was wheeling away in jubilation once more. This time hunting down a jovial Raheem Sterling, who had connected sumptuously with Harry Kane's cross to hand England a three-goal lead over their Group B counterparts - marking his first World Cup goal in style after a wonderful passage of play.
