England beat Iran 6-2 in World Cup opener
England got their FIFA World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a 6-2 victory over Iran in their Group B opener at the Khalifa International Stadium on Monday.
Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka (2), Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish were all on target as Gareth Southgate's side made a strong statement of intent. Mehdi Taremi scored twice for Iran in the second half, but it was not enough to prevent England from securing a comfortable victory.
England were in control from the start and took the lead in the 35th minute when Bellingham headed home a cross from Luke Shaw. Saka doubled the lead just eight minutes later with a fine finish into the bottom corner. Sterling made it 3-0 just before half-time with a close-range finish after good work from Harry Kane.
Rashford extended England's lead to 4-0 in the 71st minute with a clinical finish after being played in by Saka. Grealish then added a fifth in the 90th minute with a cool finish after a mazy run into the box.
Taremi pulled one back for Iran in the 93rd minute with a close-range finish, but England had the final say when Saka scored his second of the game in the 98th minute.
The victory gives England a perfect start to their World Cup campaign and they will now be confident of reaching the knockout stages. They will next face the United States on Friday, while Iran will play Wales.
Conclusion
England's emphatic victory over Iran was a statement of intent from Gareth Southgate's side. They were in control from start to finish and were clinical in front of goal. The Three Lions will now be confident of reaching the knockout stages and will be one of the teams to watch in Qatar.
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