Arsenal fans were excited to see how Bukayo Saka would perform for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and the England youngster more than impressed on his competition debut.
The Hale End academy graduate bagged a brace and was named as FIFA’s official Player of the Match as England ran out 6-2 winners against Iran, with Saka’s performance from England one of his best yet for the Three Lions as a nation erupted into celebration.
After the heartbreak of Euro 2020, Saka is well on the path of redemption for England supporters, and his performance against Iran also etched the 21-year-old’s name into the record books, with the Arsenal star shattering an incredible record.
As per Opta, Saka is now the youngest player to score two goals for England in a World Cup fixture, with the attacker also the youngest player to score more than one goal in their first tournament debut since Germany legend Franz Beckenbauer.
Insider’s View: Bukayo Saka on course to become England’s newest World Cup hero
Euro 2020 could have gone on to define Saka’s career. Yet such is the talent and willpower of the Arsenal youngster that the penalty miss against Italy now feels like a distant memory, and the attacker is now on course to become England’s star player at this World Cup.
Indeed, Saka’s performance against Iran was one of his best all year for both club and country. And with bigger tests coming up in the competition in the form of the USA and Wales, the Arsenal attacker knows he will have to take his game up to another level if he is to push England to their first World Cup triumph since 1966.
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