Feelgood factor gets a kickstart

ENGLAND launched their Qatar World Cup adventure in style yesterday as a 6-2 demolition of Iran helped to lighten the economic gloom at home.

-  Cyril Dixon

Some 10,000 ecstatic fans cheered the Three Lions to a stunning victory in the futuristic surroundings of Doha’s Khalifa International Stadium.

Gareth Southgate’s young guns embraced the chance to bring some cheer as they put the tournament’s troubled backdrop to one side.

And a professional and clinical win over a top-20 ranked Iranian team was the start few England supporters had dared wish for.

Wives and girlfriends including Jack Grealish’s partner Sasha Attwood were among the first to congratulate the team with hugs after the final whistle.

It was a great platform for advancing from qualifying Group B to the knockout stages. Southgate’s men face the United States on Friday before taking on Gareth Bale’s Welsh Dragons a week today.

Pundits reserved special praise for 19-year-old Jude Bellingham, who opened the scoring in a commanding World Cup debut. His effort was followed by two from man of the match Bukayo Saka, 21, right, who suffered appalling racist abuse after missing a penalty in last year’s Euros final defeat.

Marcus Rashford, 25, who endured the same ordeal, also got his name on the scoresheet after coming on as a substitute in the second half.