How has Marcus Rashford proved haters wrong in the 2022 Qatar World Cup?

At the start of this week, Three Lions fans were roaring with happiness as England won their Qatar World Cup opening match against Iran.

What made the 6-2 win even more deserving was the men who netted the six goals - including England’s young and upcoming talents and a man who needed to prove critics wrong.

Questions over Marcus Rashford’s abilities and availability to be picked for the national squad for the World Cup had been raised after the 25-year-old picked up a muscle injury earlier this year and was not selected for Gareth Southgate’s UEFA Nations League team.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag announced that Marcus had to miss several games while he was nursing the injury, but despite this, had been a valuable player throughout the season and came back fighting in the Manchester Derby.

In the opening stages of the Premier League, Marcus managed to score three goals and register two assists in six games, bringing his total goals in United colours to 100.

Leaving the past in the past, while the Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate may have not selected Marcus Rashford for the Nations League games against Italy and Germany, he brought the Manchester-born striker back for Qatar.

Marcus’ selection marked his first appearance for England since missing his penalty in the Euros 2020 final.

Therefore, with a point to prove, Marcus Rashford set out with a strong foot forward in his opening match on Monday [21 November].

After Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling had successfully booted the ball into the back of Iran’s net, Marcus Rashford was substituted on for his 2022 World Cup debut.

Within 49 seconds and using three steps, Marcus added another goal to England’s score sheet and marked his name in World Cup history books for being the third-quickest substitute goal scorer.