England 6 Iran 2 - Highlights
Saka at the double as England register their biggest ever opening game win at a FIFA World Cup
England made a scintillating start to their World Cup campaign as Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham inspired a 6-2 rout of outclassed Iran in Monday's Group B opener in Doha. Saka and Bellingham were England's driving forces with dynamic displays that underlined their emergence as two of the game's brightest young stars. Bellingham, 19, shattered Iran's hopes of frustrating England when he rose to head his maiden senior international goal in the first half. Gareth Southgate's side were in sparkling form at the Khalifa International Stadium and goals from Saka and Raheem Sterling put them in complete control before half-time. Saka, 21, netted again after the interval and, although Mehdi Taremi struck twice for Iran, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish completed the demolition. There will be far sterner tests to come for England as they bid to win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. But this was a welcome step in the right direction for Southgate, whose team arrived in Qatar on a six-match winless run that triggered scathing criticism of the Three Lions boss and his perceived negative tactics. The only concern for Southgate was the sight of Harry Maguire being replaced in the second half after being checked for a potential head injury. England play their second match against the United States on Friday and conclude their Group B fixtures against Wales on November 29.
- Sublime Saka -
Having reached the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 before losing to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, England are desperate to take the last step to silverware in Doha. Southgate had urged his team "play on the front foot" and they responded in style, after initially finding their rhythm disrupted by a long delay when Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand smashed into team-mate Majid Hosseini. Despite being in no state to continue amid fears of a concussion, the bloodied Beiranvand played on before finally being substituted. England eventually penned Iran deep inside their own half and Bellingham delivered in the 35th minute. Sterling found Luke Shaw on the left flank and his cross was perfectly weighted for Bellingham, who looped a fine header into the far corner. Playing for Birmingham in the Championship just two years ago, the Borussia Dortmund star's goal made him England's second youngest scorer at a World Cup behind Michael Owen. Eight minutes later another of England's gifted prodigies doubled the lead. Maguire headed down a corner and Arsenal forward Saka swivelled to lash a superb left-foot finish into the top corner. Sterling put the result beyond doubt with his first goal at a World Cup in first-half stoppage time. Bellingham fed Kane, whose pin-point cross was volleyed home by Sterling with the outside of his boot. Saka made it four in the 62nd minute when he shuffled across the Iran area before stroking his shot past Hossein Hosseini. Taremi fired into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit three minutes later. Rashford's cool finish in the 71st minute, 49 seconds after he came on, was followed by Grealish's 90th-minute tap-in. Taremi struck from the penalty spot with the last kick of the game after a shirt pull by John Stones, but the margin of victory reflected England's total dominance.
Live Stream
The team news is in for England!
England have arrived!
Plenty of choices in midfield for England ahead of the team news!
A decent lineup in the beIN SPORTS studios for the game today!
Khalifa International Stadium is our venue for today! Did you know that this venue was not built from scratch for Qatar 2022?
After concerns about the heat earlier in the tournament it's cooling down in Doha! Good news for the England fans!
Likewise, Adriano Del Monte has been down the Souq to sample the atmosphere ahead of the game!
Nicky Crosby has been out early to chat to fans outside the Khalifa International Stadium!
So here we go! England takes on Iran in the opening game of Group B from the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha. Join me for all the build-up, team news and everything else that goes down!
Preview
The Three Lions' pursuit for a first major trophy since 1966 kicks off with a FIFA World Cup opener against Asia's top ranked side, Iran.
The majority of England supporters look back fondly on the nation's previous World Cup display in Russia. A memorable run to the semi-finals, followed by Kieran Trippier's stunning free-kick against Croatia sent supporters across the country into a frenzy. Ultimately, England fell short, but there has been more positive progress since.
The Three Lions reached the EURO 2020 final and once again opened the scoring, this time courtesy of left-back Luke Shaw. Despite the considerable progress this youthful England side has made, they are still yet to be rewarded with a trophy.
Optimism has been slightly tempered heading into Qatar 2022. Gareth Southgate's side enter the World Cup following a winless Nations League campaign - losing twice to Hungary and once to Italy as England were relegated to League B.
The Three Lions are looking to avoid matching an unwanted record when they take on Iran. Only once have England failed to win seven games in a row, way back in 1958.
Southgate will be hoping his side can end their winless streak and build confidence ahead of clashes against Wales and the USA
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Kyle Walker and James Maddison remain doubts for the opener, while Kalvin Phillips' lack of game time with Manchester City this season could see him resigned to a spot on the bench.
England Predicted Team:
Pickford; Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Bellingham; Sterling, Mount, Foden; Kane
Iran's consistent performances have seen Team Melli rise to 20th in the world rankings, and while England are favourites to top Group B, Iran will be optimistic of securing second place.
Carlos Queiroz's side are eagerly anticipating their third consecutive World Cup tournament, but will be hoping to improve on their goals-per-game ratio of 0.6 - the worst of any country that has played over 10 matches in the competition.
Iran continued their preparations for the World Cup with a narrow 1-0 friendly victory over Nicaragua, followed up by a 2-0 defeat to Tunisia on Wednesday.
Iran Predicted Team:
Beiranvand; Moharrami, Pouraliganji, Hosseini, Mohammedi; Nourollahi, Ezatolahi, Hajsafi; Jahanbakhsh, Taremi, Amiri
