Washington Nationals beat Houston Astros in World Series opener as Juan Soto gets the better of Gerrit Cole

World Series favourites the Houston Astros suffered an opening night defeat to the Washington Nationals in the first game of the best-of-seven series.

Playing at their home stadium, Minute Maid Park, the 2017 champions were expected to prevail courtesy of pitcher Gerrit Cole but his ever-reliant arm was undone by 20-year-old slugger Juan Soto.

Cole had conceded just one run in three previous play-off games before Soto cleared the park and hit a two-run double to seal a tight 5-4 victory.

In the process, it ended a 19-match winning streak for Cole dating back to May.

Soto, who turns 21 in just three days' time, ended the contest with three hits, a stolen base and catching out Michael Brantley after which he was mobbed by his Nationals team-mates.

The Astros get the opportunity to make immediate amends when the two sides meet again on Tuesday for game two.

Of Cole’s relatively poor showing, Astros manager AJ Hinch said: “I think he’s been so good for so long that there’s this thought of invincibility and that it’s impossible to beat him.”

Cole admitted in the aftermath: “I didn’t have my A game tonight. Outside of a few pitches, it wasn’t my best game.

”They’re one of the two best teams in the world. When you’re not executing, they make you pay.”