Super Saka strikes twice
BUKAYO Saka said England sent a statement of what they can achieve in Qatar after thrashing Iran 6-2 yesterday to launch their World Cup in style.
The Arsenal winger scored twice on his World Cup debut, and Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also struck to end a six-game winless run for Gareth Southgate’s men.
“We needed that good start,” Saka said afterwards.
“We haven’t played the best coming into the tournament. There was a lot of talk and speculation about our form but we showed everyone how much quality we have and what we can do.
“It is amazing to get the win under so much pressure. But we have to be consistent because we have the next game coming up in a few days and we have to win again.”
Saka missed the decisive penalty as England lost the Euro 2020 final to Italy 16 months ago.
But the 21-year-old has bounced back at club level to help Arsenal top the Premier League and he justified Southgate’s call to start him ahead of Manchester City’s Phil Foden.
“I can’t describe the feeling, it is amazing. I am so happy and so proud. We got the win as well so it is a really special day,” added Saka.
“I feel in a good place. I feel the support and love from the fans, the coaching staff and my teammates. “That is all I need.
“I feel ready to give 100% and I will continue to do that every time I put the shirt on.”
Nonetheless, Southgate was left frustrated at the manner of Iran’s two goals, scored by Mehdi Taremi.
The Porto striker fired in off the underside of the bar to reduce the deficit to 4-1 and then converted a penalty with virtually the last kick of the game.
“I’ve got to be very happy, but we shouldn’t be conceding two goals at that stage of the game,” said Southgate, who was under pressure in the lead-up to the World Cup.
“We’re going to have to be right on our game against the (US on Friday), it’s a great start but we are going to have to be better.”
Elsewhere, Cody Gakpo scored a late goal on his World Cup debut and Davy Klaassen added a second strike deep in stoppage time to give the Netherlands a 2-0 win over Senegal in their Group A clash at the
Al Thumama Stadium yesterday
Coach Louis Van Gaal handed goalkeeper Andries Noppert his first international cap and he had little to do as the Dutch defence stifled the African champions, though he did pull off a superb save in the 73rd minute to parry a stinging shot from Idrissa Gueye.
The Dutch attack was wasteful until Gakpo, 23, stole through the middle and beat Edouard Mendy to a cross from Frenkie de Jong and send a glancing header into the net in the 84th minute.
Substitute Klaassen reacted quickest nine minutes into stoppage time to pounce on a rebound from a Memphis Depay shot and fire home to put the Dutch top of the group with Ecuador, whom they meet on Friday.