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DOHA: England made an impressive start to their World Cup campaign as Bukayo Saka and Jude Bellingham inspired a 6-2 victory over Iran in their Group B opener on Monday in Doha.
Saka and Bellingham were driving forces for England with dynamic displays that confirmed their emergence as one of the game’s brightest young stars.
Bellingham, 19, dashed Iran’s hopes of thwarting England when he stepped up to lead in his first international goal in the first half.
Gareth Southgate’s side were in brilliance at Khalifa International Stadium and goals from Saka and Raheem Sterling put them in complete control before halftime.
Saka, 21, found the net again after half-time and although Mehdi Taremi fired twice for Iran, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish completed the demolition.
There will be tougher tests ahead for England as they try to win their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
But it was a welcome step in the right direction for Southgate, whose team reached Qatar on a six-match winless run, drawing scathing criticism of the Three Lions boss and his notably passive tactics.
Southgate’s only concern was seeing Harry Maguire substituted in the second half after being checked for a possible head injury. England play their second match against the United States on Friday and conclude their Group B matches against Wales on November 29.
The match was also set against a backdrop of unrest in Iran following months of women-led demonstrations sparked by the death of Mohsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman of Kurdish origin who was arrested by Tehran’s morality police.
Iranian players refused to sing their national anthem in apparent support of the anti-government protesters. Having reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2018 before losing to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, England are desperate to take the last step towards silverware in Doha.
Southgate had urged his side to “play full swing” and they responded in style, having initially found their rhythm disrupted by a long delay when Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand collided with team mate Majid Hosseini.
Although in no condition to continue amid concussion fears, a bloodied Beiranvand played before he was eventually substituted. England eventually put Iran deep inside their own half and Bellingham served in the 35th minute.
Sterling found Luke Shaw on the left flank and his cross was well weighted for Bellingham, who headed in well into the far corner. Playing for Birmingham in the Championship just two years ago, the Borussia Dortmund star’s goal made him the second-youngest scorer for England in a World Cup behind Michael Owen.
Eight minutes later, England’s talented genius doubled the lead. Maguire headed a corner kick and Dar Saka, Arsenal striker, fired the ball with his left foot into the top corner.
Sterling put the score beyond doubt with his first World Cup goal in first-half stoppage time. Bellingham fed Kane, who hit a Sterling cross with the outside of his boot.
Saka scored the fourth goal in the 62nd minute, when he fired the ball over the Iranian area, before hitting his shot past Hussein Hosseini. Tarime hit the roof of the goal to reduce the deficit three minutes later.
Rashford’s fine finish in the 71st minute, 49 seconds after he came on, was followed by Grealish in the 90th minute. Tarimi scored from the penalty spot with the last kick of the game after pulling his shirt off John Stones, but the margin of victory reflected England’s total dominance.
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