England had a thrilling debut to the World Cup game in the tournament as Bukayo Saka, and Jude Bellingham helped lead an 6-2 win over the mighty Iran at the first Group B first game at Doha.
Saka as well as Bellingham are England’s mainstays with their energetic performances that highlighted their rise as two of football’s most promising youngsters players.
Bellingham 19-year-old Bellingham was a shattered Iran’s dreams of disappointing England by rising to score his first senior international goal during the first minute of the match.
Gareth Southgate’s team was in top form at the Khalifa Stadium. Goals of Saka as well as Raheem Sterling gave them full control at half-time.
Saka 21, who scored in the second half after the interval while Mehdi Taremi scored at least twice in the game in the match for Iran, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish completed the demolition.
There are more gruelling tests ahead for England as they try to claim the first trophy of their own since winning the 1966 World Cup.
It was nevertheless a positive move in the right direction Southgate who’s squad came to Qatar with an unbeaten streak of six games which prompted a scathing attack on his Three Lions boss and his perceived bad tactics.
“We are very happy to be able to start this in this way. Iran generally extremely hard to hit, and so it’s an honor our athletes, their movements and their quality of final touches,” Southgate said.
England will play their second game with America in their second match. United States on Friday. They will then close their Group B fixtures with Wales in November 29.
In the hours leading up to kick-off England made it clear that the captain Harry Kane would not wear the rainbow-themed “One love armband following the Football Association as well as a few other European nations canceled their protest in support of LGBTQ rights.
The armband wasn’t an approved piece of kit by FIFA and was not FIFA-approved, anyone wearing it could be slapped with a fine which was an opportunity England would not accept.
The match was also held in the midst of unrest that is raging in Iran following months of protests by women that were triggered by the demise of Mahsa Amini, a young 22-year-old woman from Kurdish origin, who was detained in the custody of the police of morality officers at Tehran.
The Iranian players were unable the opportunity to sing the national anthem of Iran in apparent solidarity with protesters against the regime.
“You cannot even imagine the conditions these children have endured over the past few days, simply because they’re trying to portray themselves as footballers” Iran boss Carlos Queiroz said of the stress his players are experiencing.
“Sublime Saka” Sublime Saka – After reaching the World Cup semi-finals in 2018 and then falling to Italy during the Euro 2020 final, England want to make the final step to win the silverware at Doha.
Southgate had advised his team to “play with a positive attitude” and they did so in style after having their rhythm shattered by an extended delay after Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was smashed into teammate Majid Hosseini.
Although he was not in a good enough state to play due to fears of concussions, the bloody Beiranvand continued to play until finally being substituted.
England eventually had to stop Iran in their own half. Bellingham gave the ball in the 35th minute.
Sterling discovered Luke Shaw on the left flank , and the crossed was securely weighted to Bellingham who put the ball with a excellent strike into the top corner.
While playing for Birmingham during the Championship only two years back two years ago, it was Borussia Dortmund star’s goal was England’s second-youngest goal scorer in the World Cup after Michael Owen.
After eight minutes, another of England’s gifted talent added to the lead..
Maguire took a shot into an angle before Arsenal forward Saka turned to unleash a stunning left-footed shot in the top corner.
Sterling made the victory beyond doubt when he scored his first goal in the world Cup during the first half in end-of-game.
Bellingham played Kane who’s pin-point cross was hit in the direction of Sterling by using an outside part of his foot.
Saka was able to score four goals in the 62nd minute as Saka swung across his way across the Iran zone before firing his shot through Hossein Hosseini.
Taremi shot over the top of the net in order to cut the deficit just three minutes later.
Rashford’s cool goal in the 71st second minute, just 49 seconds after coming on after he came on, then followed by Grealish’s 90th minute tap-in.
Taremi scored at the penalty area with the final kick of the game following the shirt was pulled from John Stones, but the scoreline reflected the total dominance of England.
