Former Word Cup winner England announced their presence at the 2022 edition of the tournament by thrashing Iran 6-2 in their opener to go take control of Group B on Monday.
In a fixture that was heavily in favor of an England victory, the Three Lions verified those odds, as all the major players were involved in the score line.
Goals from senior strikers Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford in the 45th and 71st minutes for England’s fourth and fifth respectively reinforced a commanding display by 1966 champions.
However, it was the country’s future stars who shon brightest on the day, as youngsters Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka set the early tone for European juggernauts.
Bellingham, 18, scored his first-ever World Cup goal in the 35th minute to open the scoring for England.
The Borussia Dortmund midfield maestro benefited from a Luke Shaw cross to mark his Cup debut with a goal.
21-year-old Saka who was also on his tournament debut, was equally as compelling as he bagged a brace to set the victory train in motion.
The Arsenal striker doubled England’s lead in the 43rd minute before doubling his own tally in minute 62, which at that time made it 4-0 courtesy of a Sterling assist.
Manchester City player Jack Grealish extended England’s advantage to five goals in the 89th before, Iran’s Mehdi Taremi reduced the deficit by a goal in extra time via a penalty after previously cutting the score line in the 65th minute.
The result is a stern reminder of their quality and prospects in challenging for this year’s Cup as the reigning tournament semi-finalist assume the early lead in their group with a +4-goal average, which itself could be a factor.
England will next play USA on November 25 before tackling Wales on November 29.
