Young, gifted and back

THE treatment of Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho from racists among their own England fans shamed the country after the Euros.

Sixteen months on Saka (top, celebrating yesterday) has shown just how much he has benefited from the support of Gareth Southgate, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta and the bulk of the Three Lions fanbase.

How fitting that he and Rashford (inset, with Harry Kane) – along with another two black players in

Raheem Sterling and Jude Bellingham – would score in England’s next game in a major tournament to get their World Cup campaign off to a stunning start.

Supporters across the land put tribal loyalties to one side last year to wrap a collective arm around Saka, Rashford and Sancho.

The abuse the trio (below) endured for missing spotkicks in the Euro final shootout defeat against

Italy was an ugly reflection of a section of England followers that some would have you believe was a thing of the past.

It sparked a period of soul-searching the country and arguably English football needed.

It was to their credit none of the England players shied away from speaking about their treatment. Most of them have since grown as men as well as players.

Sancho’s dip in form is down to his move from Dortmund and the chaos at Manchester United – and despite not making the squad there is nothing wrong with his belief.

And Saka and Rashford won’t be carried away by the jubilation of yesterday’s win.

Last year’s abuse was a chastening reminder that they may always remain a missed penalty away from joy and optimism melting into hate and vitriol.

But this whole group represent England in 2022.

A rich mix of cultural confidence and quality, led by a manager in Southgate who has set a new standard in running the national team.

His successor will require the awareness to stand by his men in times of adversity as Southgate did in that awful period after the Euros.

Even before then when the risible Boris Johnson and his then-home Secretary defended the right of critics to boo England players taking the knee in the fight against racial injustice.

No doubt Rishi Sunak will jump on the bandwagon after this stunning win over Iran. But the England players – all of them – have seen it all before.

They have made their own statement in this match. Now they are ready to write a new chapter in England’s football history.