England team-mate Kieran Trippier paid tribute to Bukayo Saka after the ‘outstanding’ Arsenal forward scored twice in the 6-2 thrashing of Iran in their Qatar World Cup opener on Monday, speaking to talkSPORT (21 November, 3pm).
Talk about exercising ghosts.
Saka, in his first appearance at a major tournament since that penalty shoot-out at Wembley 17 months ago, scored twice either side of half-time as the Three Lions produced their most emphatic, free-flowing World Cup performance in recent memory against Iran.
Arsenal’s number seven lashed home brilliantly following a Harry Maguire knock-down eight minutes after Jude Bellingham’s classy opener, and doubled his tally midway through the second half with a fine solo effort.
Gareth Southgate’s England thrash Iran 6-2 in Qatar
“They’ve shown great experience for such young people,” Trippier said when asked about the exhilarating performances of both Saka and Bellingham; two players with a combined age of just 40.
“At their club, they’re playing at such a high level anyway. I’m absolutely delighted for those two, for sure
“(Saka) was absolutely outstanding,” adds former England striker Dean Ashton. “Even before the goals, he was the one looking to penetrate and take the ball under pressure. Another massive positive from this game. There is so many. It’s hard to just pick one out!”
Though a late and highly-contentious Mehdi Taremi penalty denied England the chance to open their World Cup campaign with their biggest ever win in the competition, this was no more than a mere drizzle on an otherwise glorious parade.
Bellingham and Declan Rice orchestrated proceedings the game from the centre of the park, while Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also got their names on the scoresheet. Saka, meanwhile, joins Enner Valencia and Taremi at the top of the Golden Boot rankings.
“I’m delighted Gareth picked him,” adds England legend Stuart Pearce. “He’s been magnificent today, and his goals were rightly deserved.”
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