WORLD CUP: Bukayo Saka Nets Twice As England Gets Three Points At Opening

Bukayo Saka was at the double as England cruised through their opening World Cup match against Iran to banish memories of a gloomy build-up to the tournament.

Expectations were dampened ahead of the trip to Qatar after the Three Lions were relegated from the top tier of the Nations League having picked up just three points from six games.

But Gareth Southgate’s men comfortably won what was vigorously described as a tricky Group B encounter thanks to Saka’s brace and goals from Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish.

After Bellingham, 19, broke the deadlock in the 35th minute with his first international goal, Arsenal star Saka doubled the advantage seven minutes later.

Sterling, 27, added a third in first-half stoppage time and 21-year-old Saka made it 4-0 midway through the second half.

While the Three Lions faithful were still celebrating, Iran netted when Mehdi Taremi ran in behind Harry Maguire to lash the ball beyond Jordan Pickford.

Iran’s joy was brief as Rashford needed just three touches after coming off the bench to make it 5-1 in the 71st minute.

England’s fine start to their quest for glory was crowned by a Jack Grealish goal served up on a plate by fellow substitute Callum Wilson in the dying seconds of normal time.

But in the 13th minute of added time at the end of the game, John Stones gave away a penalty that was converted by Mehdi Taremi for his second of the afternoon.