QATAR, WORLD CUP: Bukayo Saka scored twice as England thrashed Iran 6-2 in their World Cup opener at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar on Monday evening.
The three lions took the lead through Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham after the half-hour mark before Saka fired home brilliantly and Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling extended the advantage further before the break.
The Arsenal forward got his second, and England’s fourth, with the help of a slight deflection, before Mehdi Taremi lashed home a consolation for Iran as they made a rare foray forward.
England later stored the three goal lead after Marcus Rashford came off the bench and scored, and Jack Grealish capped a memorable World for the three lions but Mehdi Taremi scored again a late penalty in added time to end the game 6-2.
The match was capped by a long delay in the first half after Iran’s goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand suffered a head injury. The Iran goalkeeper tried to carry on but ended up having to be taken off as a substitute.
Saka who suffered a tragic Euro 2020 final when he missed in England’s lost penalty shootout showed once again just why he is a player that Gareth Southgate trusts and relies on.
“I can’t describe the feeling. It’s amazing, I’m so happy, I’m so proud, and we’ve got the win as well, so it’s a really special day! We needed a good start, we didn’t play the best coming into the tournament. But we showed everyone how much quality we have and what we can do,” Saka said after the match.
“It’s amazing. We have to be consistent, because we have the next game coming up in a few days and we have to come again. I feel like I’m in a good place.”
Iran will look to learn from the lessons ahead of their game against Wales on Friday while England face the United States on the same day.
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