World Cup: England thrash Iran

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England 6 - 2 Iran

England's World Cup campaign opened in a thoroughly convincing fashion as they outclassed Iran during an incident-packed match in Doha.

Brief match report

Gareth Southgate's side strolled to victory, with Iran's hopeless plight made worse by the early loss of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand to concussion after a clash of heads with team-mate Majid Hosseini.

Jude Bellingham got England off the mark in this World Cup with a soaring header from Luke Shaw's cross 10 minutes before the break and the game was wrapped up before half-time thanks to Bukayo Saka's fine strike and Raheem Sterling's classy volley with the outside of his foot from Harry Kane's cross.

A few weeks ago, we asked whether Jude Bellingham could shine for England?

It's starting to look like he can. How far can he and England go in Qatar?

World Cup preview: Could Jude Bellingham shine for England? (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)

Saka got his second before Iran's supporters were given a moment of real delight when Mehdi Taremi scored a fine goal after 65 minutes - but England substitute Marcus Rashford then netted another smooth, composed strike with his first involvement.

To put the gloss on an incredibly dominant display, Jack Grealish slotted home from close range after a good run and pullback by Callum Wilson. The last goal of the game came to Iran when Taremi slotted in a penalty after a John Stones foul.

Match highlights

Video credit - ITV Sport - YouTube 

The match was obviously talked about by football fans across England and beyond

England manager Gareth Southgate told BBC Sport: ""To win by that margin - to play as we did for the majority of the game - we've got to be really happy. That's a great marker to put down.

"But we shouldn't be conceding two goals at that stage of the match and we'll have to be right on our game against the States."

Read more reaction from the BBC- World Cup 2022: Iran win a 'great marker' but England 'must be better' - Gareth Southgate - BBC Sport 

Liam, an England fan from Oldham, said: "It wasn't perfect but can't really complain about a 6-2 win in the opening World Cup match."

This is how England celebrated the Jude Bellingham goal, at 1pm on a Monday. Was this a bit over the top? 

More World Cup news and stories can be found by clicking here>>> 

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