It was raining goals for the England team in Doha today as it thrashed Iran 6-2 in the opening game of the 2022 World Cup. 

In the event-packed first match, Gareth Southgate’s decision to go for an attacking formation – with Bukayo Saka, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling all in attack – proved fruitful.

This is the second time that England has scored six goals in a single game of a major tournament. This year, it was thanks to Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling, Jack Grealish, 21 year-old Bukayo Saka – the youngest player to score more than once in a single World Cup game – and 19 year-old Jude Bellingham, whose impressive header goal made the midfielder England’s second youngest World Cup goalscorer ever after Michael Owen in the 1998 World Cup. Bellingham is one of the most exciting emerging names at this year’s World Cup, and a player who is set to have a long career ahead of him.