Rashford scores third-quickest World Cup goal by a sub
Marcus Rashford marked his return to the England team in emphatic style on Monday, by scoring his first goal at a World Cup finals, in the Three Lions' 6-2 thrashing of Iran.
The forward arrived on the field in the 71st minute, replacing Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, and took just 49 seconds to notch his 13th international goal.
The strike was the third-quickest goal by a substitute in the history of the World Cup, and symbolised Rashford's resurgence for both club and country so far in 2022/23.
49 - Marcus Rashford scored just 49 seconds after coming on for England, the third-quickest goal by a substitute in World Cup history. Impact. pic.twitter.com/NIjqb6nHXW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 21, 2022
Our no.10's last international minutes came in England's agonising Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy, where Rashford missed in the climactic penalty shootout.
But the demons around that unfortunate event appear to have been firmly laid to rest.
It took Marcus just three touches to make his near-instant impact.
Playing on the right flank, Rashford drifted in field to receive a Harry Kane pass to feet.
Shaping to shoot with his right foot, the Mancunian then jinked back inside onto his less-favoured left, before sliding the ball cooly past Iran's substitute goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini.
England had made a blistering start to their Group B opener in Doha, against opponents managed by former United assistant Carlos Queiroz.
First-half goals from Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling had Gareth Southgate's men 3-0 up before the interval.
A second for Saka made it four just after the hour mark, but the introduction of Rashford signalled a new phase in the game.
It means the forward now has nine goals for club and country so far this season, with Rashford clearly enjoying his football once again after a challenging 2021/22 season.
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Former England striker and BBC pundit Alan Shearer led the praise for the 25-year-old, saying on BBC One:
“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.”
Rashford will now hope to work his way into Southgate's starting XI, ahead of Friday's (25 November) Group B meeting with Wales in Al Rayyan (19:00 GMT).