England vs Iran

 England vs Iran

Score: 6-2

Goals: Bellingham (35'), Saka (43', 62'), Sterling (45+1'), Taremi (65', 90+13') Rashford (71'), Grealish (89')

Possession: 79-21

Shots: 13-6

Man of the Match: Bukayo Saka (2G)

   England opened up their World Cup campaign with a dominant 6-2 win over Iran. Gareth Southgate's side was in total control throughout an entertaining 90 minutes at the Khalifa International Stadium. The match began timidly with England in control but lacking some tempo and energy to their play. Injury to Iranian keeper Alizera Beiranvand forced a very long stoppage at the start of the first half causing a long interruption of play. Towards the end of the first half England finally started to find their groove. The importance of line-breaking passes from center halves in modern football has become extremely paramount at the highest level and it was shown on display for England's opening goal by Manchester United's Harry Maguire. Maguire picked out Mason Mount who laid it off nicely to Raheem Sterling who combined with Luke Shaw to put in a brilliant cross into teenage sensation Jude Bellingham. Bellingham glanced a beautiful header towards the far post and left substitute keeper Hossein Hosseini with absolutely no chance for his first England goal. England continued to push and shortly after the opener, they doubled their advantage through Arsenal star Bukayo Saka. Saka, who has been fantastic for the Gunners throughout their rise to the top of the Premier League table this season volleyed home a slightly deflected effort after a neat knock down from Maguire. England continued their dominance and eventually got the third just on the stroke of halftime. The goal came courtesy of Raheem Sterling who cleverly finished off a cross from deep-lying forward Harry Kane who continues to show his creative brilliance from the nine. This took the match to half time with England in full control and Iran looking very disheartened after a three-goal, ten-minute onslaught from the three lions. The second half began with Iran making some tactical adjustments and clearly wanting to press a lot higher and with a lot more frequency than they did in the first half. It seemed to have some positive effect for Iran but England still continued to cope very well with players like Declan Rice and John Stones in particular showing their class press resistance and technical ability. Just after a quarter of an hour in the second half Bukayo Saka secured his brace after a devastating counterattack which put him in and running towards a backpedalling Iranian defense. After a couple brilliant body feints as he tried to move the ball inside and onto his stronger left peg he released a calm and calculated effort which rolled into the far bottom corner to make it 4-0. Iran did happen to get two consolation goals through Porto talisman Mehdi Taremi who finished off a very nice team move in the 65th minute and scored on the last kick of the game after Iran were awarded a penalty which he slotted nicely past Jordan Pickford. England substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also bagged in the second half both off nicely worked England counterattacks. 

    This was the perfect performance for Gareth Southgate and his England side who coming into this tournament came off some slightly concerning performances. In particular, their Nations League campaign was incredibly disappointing leading to them getting relegated and holding back-to-back losses against Hungary. They will face the United States in their next fixture looking for a victory which would seal their place in the knockout rounds and set them up for potentially another deep international tournament run. For Iran, this was potentially to be expected, and they will know they will have better opportunities against Wales and the United States. But Carlos Quieroz will for sure have a job on his hands as he tries to lead Iran to the knockout stage for the first time in their history.