Bukayo Saka became the youngest England player ever to score two or more goals at a World Cup finals as England cruised to a 6-2 victory in their World Cup opener against Iran. Three points means that Gareth Southgate's side sit comfortably at the top of Group B for now, as Wales and the USA prepare to face off on Monday evening.
Goals from Jude Bellingham, Saka and Raheem Sterling gave the Three Lions a healthy 3-0 lead going into half-time.
Saka then scored a second early on in the second-period, before Iran pegged one back through Mehdi Tehrami just a few minutes later.
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Marcus Rashford made it 5-1 after coming on from the bench. Callum Wilson then later squared the ball to Jack Grealish to add a sixth prior to 90 minutes. The action wasn't finished there, though, as Iran were awarded a dubious VAR penalty in added time. Tehrami made no mistake from the spot as he slotted home his second of the game.
Plenty of England players impressed on the day, but Saka's brace means that he's set a new England record. The 21-year-old looked dangerous pretty much every time he picked up the ball, but he ultimately shined in front of goal as he became the youngest player to score two or more goals in a World Cup match for England.
Speaking after the game, Arsenal's foremost winger admitted that the win was 'amazing' and it was a 'special day' for him and his teammates.
"I feel like I'm in a good place, got support from the fans, I feel the love from them, the coaches, my teammates," he told BBC MOTD Live. "I feel good and I'm ready to give 100 per cent and I will do that every time I put the shirt on. It's amazing to get the win in the end and put the pressure on. We have to be consistent, there's another game coming up in a few days and we have to win again.
"We needed that good start, we didn't play the best coming in so there was talk and speculation coming into the tournament but we showed them what we’re about and what we can do.
I can't describe the feeling, it's amazing, I'm so happy, so proud, we got the win as well. It's a special day."
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