Doha November 21 2022: Gareth Southgate’s men romped to a 6-2 victory over IR Iran in their opening game of Qatar 2022™, setting the pace for other World Cup favourites.
England 6-2 IR Iran | Group B
Jude Bellingham (35′), Bukayo Saka (43′, 62′), Raheem Sterling (45+1′), Marcus Rashford (71′), Jack Grealish (88′); Mehdi Taremi (65′, 90+12′)
Match Review
Any shackles attached to Gareth Southgate’s England have well and truly been thrown off.
An imperious England dominated every minute of this game, with a flash of magic and a penalty from Mehdi Taremi punctuating an an otherwise perfect display.
Critics of Southgate’s cautious approach with England will have been delighted to see the Three Lions in an unstoppable attacking flow, all sparked by a deft header from Jude Bellingham.
Bukayo Saka made England’s lead comfortable with a thumping strike as the ball dropped to him from a corner, before Raheem Sterling stabbed in a volley. Saka’s second was answered by Taremi’s electric strike, but Iran were swept away as Rashford and Grealish completed the drubbing.
A late penalty, converted by Taremi, closed the show.
Key Moment: Rashford’s introduction
The Manchester United forward was introduced to the field at 4-1, with Iran having just hauled themselves onto the scoresheet. Rashford’s introduction was to prove the killer blow, as any spark of a comeback was snuffed out by a devastating fifth England goal.
As Harry Kane pushed the ball into Rashford’s path, bolting into play from the right flank, the Iranian defence was panicked and back-pedalling. Only two touches – one to take the ball into the box, a second to turn his man inside-out – were necessary for Rashford to slide the ball into the net. It was an electric introduction.
Stat of the Match
Jude Bellingham (19 years, 145 days) and Bukayo Saka (21 years, 77 days) became the second and third youngest goal scorers for England at a FIFA World Cup.
Michael Owen remains the youngest, scoring his goal against Romania at France 1998 when he was 18 years and 190 days old.
