Rashford: I am ready to kick on

The Manchester United forward scored the crucial second goal, cutting in from the left to thump an unstoppable finish beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma, following some fine approach play by Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham.

It was a magical moment as Gareth Southgate's side clinched a place in the European Championship finals in Germany next year, with two games to spare, and left the Azzurri facing a battle to qualify.

It was the perfect boost for our no.10, who is out to recapture last season's spectacular form, when he scored 30 goals in all competitions for United.

Jude Bellingham & Marcus Rashford that is absolutely OUTSTANDING 🔥🔥#C4Football | #ENGITA | #EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/D0CEFOrFeC

— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) October 17, 2023

With Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane scoring the other two goals, it was a great response to the Three Lions, after going behind to Gianluca Scamacca's opener.

Rashford spoke to broadcasters Channel 4 and sounded in confident mood, when asked if this was his best form for his country, ahead of Saturday night's return to Premier League action at Sheffield United.

"I feel like I am ready to kick on," he vowed. "It is about winning as many games as possible for me, whether you start or are on the bench.

"When it is your moment, you have to take it.

"We started the game well," he added. "We were unlucky to concede the goal. A couple of times in the first half, they caught us on the overload.

"We kept cool heads and trying to play the football we had played in training, and it paid off."

Southgate paid testament to Rashford's work-rate, enthusing: "Our front players worked unbelievably for the team. Marcus Rashford, I don't know how much ground he covered today."

It's Bramall Lane up next for our homegrown forward and he is out to keep up a goalscoring run at the South Yorkshire ground, after netting three times in his previous outings there for the Reds, once in a 3-3 draw in 2019 and twice in 2020's 3-2 victory.