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.
This story is from the November 22, 2022 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 22, 2022 edition of Daily Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CHILD'S PLAY
PEP GUARDIOLA says Phil Foden is stuck in sixth gear - but having a third child might finally slow him down.
Best is yet to come from hungry Marry
BELL SEES A BRIGHTER FUTURE LED BY BROOK
I promised a dying man I would tell his story...
Heather Morris's incredible novel about the real-life Tattooist of Auschwitz sold 13 million copies and sparked new interest in the Holocaust. As it becomes a gripping six-part TV drama, the writer discusses how she fulfilled a poignant pledge to her friend
‘We cannot believe the boy he has transformed into in just nine weeks!’
LITTLE cystic fibrosis sufferer Jesse Browne proudly displays a drawing of his dad running the London Marathon, as he thrives for the first time thanks to a wonder drug we campaigned for.
Of course we miss her, but even 40 years of Deborah were wonderful
As the late Bowelbabe's charity fund teams up with Omaze for its Million Pound House Draw to raise money for cancer research, Heather James recalls her inspirational daughter two years on
PO 'hushed up' case of sub-postmaster who killed himself
Widow drip fed’ compensation, inquiry told
Training pupils to use 'bleed kits' will save the lives of stab victims like Max
A GRIEVING mother has called on all secondary school pupils to be taught how to use bleed kits - to help save the lives of stab victims.
'Bravery? We did just our job as well as we could'
THE greatest generation met the youngest as the last of our D-Day liberators gave an emotional salute ahead of the Normandy invasion's 80th anniversary.
Civ-ill Service
Government workers took more days off sick than the private sector every year since 1995
Primary teacher admits murdering lover and burying his body in garden
She tied him to bed with lure of sex then stabbed him in neck
