England kicked off their 2022 World Cup campaign with a 6-2 victory over Iran on Monday afternoon.
The Three Lions were in inspired form, slamming six goals past a hapless Iran defense to secure their first three points of the tournament.
Jude Bellingham pulled the strings spectacularly in the midfield to lay the foundation for his colleagues after netting a strike of his own through a towering header early on.
Bukayo Saka well and truly banished the ghosts of Euro 2020 with a sublime brace while Raheem Sterling and, perhaps most tellingly, Marcus Rashford got their names on the score sheet as well.
The thumping was rounded out by a superb team goal, ultimately finished off by Jack Grealish after Callum Wilson laid it on a plate for the Manchester City man.
In the aftermath of his strike, Grealish kept his promise to young City fans by performing his requested celebration.
Jack Grealish keeps his promise to a young fan with a World Cup celebration
It was an incredibly wholesome moment that encapsulated Grealish’s relationship with his fans and was the perfect cherry on top of a quite lovely English cake.
However, Grealish took it one step further during a post-game interview, and Grealish opened up about the gesture.
“I’ve met young Finlay about a month ago,” he began.
“Got on, obviously, really well with him. He obviously has cerebral palsy like my little sister as well so… he asked me to do a celebration for him. Luckily it came at the World Cup.
“That’s what it’s all about. For me, it’s just doing a celebration, but that’ll mean the world to him, I’m sure. Especially me doing it at the World Cup. Finlay, that one’s for you.”
Absolutely top class from Jack.
You can be sure that young Finlay would have been absolutely buzzing to see his biggest hero keeping his word and whipping out the dance move he requested.
In the midst of all the off-field controversy that has shrouded this World Cup in shadow, Grealish showed the power that football has for good and to make a difference in people’s lives.
While England’s young and exciting side looked at the business on Monday, you can be sure no one in the camp will be getting too carried away.
Southgate and co will sleep soundly tonight having got their tournament off to an ideal start, but they will know there is still a very long way to go in the Gulf.
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