It was a story of redemption for Marcus Rashford as he only needed three touches to score his first ever World Cup goal and lay the ghosts to rest of his unfortunate penalty miss against Italy at Wembley in the Euro 2020 final.
The Mancunian had to wait until the 71st minute to write his redemption story as he came on as a second-half substitute for Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka who scored twice for the Three Lions.
It only took Rashford 49 seconds to score England’s fifth goal in what was an impressive 6-2 win over Iran as they got their World Cup campaign up and running.
49 seconds ⏰🫡 pic.twitter.com/rFRliS3IHB
— Marcus Rashford (@MarcusRashford) November 21, 2022
It was a well taken goal from the United number 10 as he collected a pass from Harry Kane and cut inside to score with his left-foot and restore England’s four goal advantage.
Marcus Rashford's instant impact!
He'd only just come on when he did this! #BBCWorldCup #BBCFootball #FIFAWorldCup https://t.co/0NUa9kwVuM
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) November 21, 2022
The man who burst onto the scene with two goals against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League back in 2016 has had to wait a long time to feature again for England because his last game under Gareth Southgate was the penalty shootout defeat to Italy 16 months ago.
🔴 The last time Marcus Rashford scored twice in a European game = his Manchester United debut 👏
🆚 Midtjylland, UEL round of 32
🗓️ February 2016 #UEL pic.twitter.com/CNqza7fM6w— UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) October 28, 2020
The goal was also the third-quickest World Cup goal by a substitute, which is some achievement for the United academy graduate, who has continued his excellent United form into the World Cup.
One former England striker that was impressed by Rashford’s goal was Alan Shearer, who was working on the game as a BBC pundit.
“There was a lot of debate about whether he should have been in the squad – what an answer.
“It [the goal] looks effortless. He makes it look so easy, [but] of course it’s not.”
Despite an excellent attacking display by England attackers, Rashford will be hoping that he has done enough to feature in the Three Lions’ next game against the United States of America, which is scheduled to take place at 7pm UK time on Friday 25 November.