SOUTHGATE’S SIX SHOOTERS
ENGLAND’S quest for World Cup glory got off to a dream start as Bukayo Saka’s brace helped the Three Lions roar to a 6-2 victory against Iran.
The Arsenal forward scored twice in his first major tournament appearance since missing his spot-kick in last year’s European Championship final defeat to Italy.
Marcus Rashford has not represented the national team at all since missing his attempt at Wembley and netted within minutes of coming on in a thumping win that Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish also scored in.
FIFA cited a technicality to prevent England wearing a rainbow armband in a country where homosexuality is outlawed. There were empty seats at the Khalifa International Stadium due to its shoddy ticketing system and the fact Iran goalkeeper Ali Beiranvand was able to continue before leaving with suspected concussion after a nasty clash of heads was appalling.
As a result of that there were 14 minutes of stoppage time at the end of a first half to cherish for Gareth Southgate’s side. Teenager Bellingham expertly headed home his first international goal before Saka smashed home a stunning strike complemented by Sterling.
Saka added another before Mehdi Taremi scored for Iran, who were relieved that the Three Lions only managed to add two more through substitutes Rashford and Grealish.
England were on course to match their biggest World Cup win, only
for Taremi to score a last-gasp penalty.
Iran’s silence during the national anthem was poignant given the human rights atrocities at home.
The match started with Carlos Queiroz’s normally obdurate side escaping an early penalty claim as Rouzbeh Cheshmi wrestled Harry Maguire in the box.
More serious controversy soon followed as Beiranvand was allowed to play on despite having been left groggy after clattering into team-mate Majid Hosseini.
Iran’s goalkeeper soon called to be taken off and eventually left on a stretcher, with Hossein Hosseini brought on as a concussion substitute.
The break in play did not throw England off kilter, with Mason Mount firing into the side-netting
and Maguire heading a 32ndminute corner on to the crossbar.
The floodgates opened three minutes later. Smart, patient play ended with Luke Shaw sending in a great cross from the left that Bellingham headed past Iran’s statuesque back-up keeper.
The 19-year-old lapped up the moment after England’s third youngest World Cup starter was assisted by the man second on the list. Another goal followed in the 43rd minute when Maguire headed on a corner for Saka to thrash home a left-footed beauty.
England’s third followed two minutes later as Bellingham prodded wide to Harry Kane, who swung over a cross that Sterling turned home. It was a magical period followed by stunned silence during 14 minutes of stoppage time.
Iran made three changes after the break but were still struggling to stem the tide, leading to Morteza Pouraliganji’s desperate attempt to halt Kane. The skipper grimaced after the challenge but was able to continue.
Bellingham continued to purr and Sterling sparkled for England, plus Maguire appeared to have the confidence he’s been lacking at club level.
The decision to select Saka also proved a masterstroke, with the man-of-the-match scoring his second in the 62nd minute. A miskick from goalkeeper Hosseini was gobbled up by England and ended with the Arsenal star following quick feet with a low finish.
Iran scored a consolation three minutes later as Ali Gholizadeh managed to squeeze a ball through to Taremi, who showed his quality by lashing in off the underside of the bar.
Maguire went off looking bleary soon after as England made a swathe of substitutions.
Rashford was among those introduced and made an immediate impact, collecting Kane’s pass, cutting inside and coolly scoring.
Callum Wilson and Grealish were others brought on by Southgate, with the former teeing up the latter as England netted a sixth.
Jordan Pickford brilliantly tipped a Sardar Azmoun strike on to the crossbar but was beaten again in the 13th minute of second-half stoppage time.
Taremi coolly scored a penalty awarded after the VAR advised the referee to review images of his shirt being tugged.
JUDE Bellingham started England’s goal haul against Iran in their World Cup opener, but admitted he thought he had missed.
The Borussia Dortmund star headed the Three Lions into the lead and produced an outstanding display for Gareth Southgate’s men.
But the 19-year-old said it felt like his header from Luke Shaw’s cross would never cross the line.
“To be honest I thought it had missed and it took ages to loop into the goal,” said Bellingham.
“I told you I wanted to score more goals for Dortmund and England. It was a brilliant ball from Shawy (Luke Shaw) and I was just there to flick it away and it was a really proud moment for me.
“(It was a) really good day for us, six goals in a World Cup game is really impressive, regardless of who you’re playing against.
“Iran came out really well and strong, they were hard to break down, we didn’t have anything clear for quite a while and with more goals we opened them up.”
England face the United States in their second Group B game on
Friday before taking on Wales on November 29 and Bellingham added: “Wins do take pressure off, you’re at ease for a bit, but we’ll still be at the same level trying to perform and get two more wins because that’s how we want to be. We want to carry that mentality into, hopefully, the rest of the tournament.”
Bukayo Saka made his mark with two goals, and said the win may silence the critics after England’s poor form leading up to Qatar.
“It feels amazing, I’m so happy, so proud. We got the win, so it’s a really special day,” said the Arsenal forward.
“We needed that good start because we didn’t play our best coming into the tournament.
“There was a lot of talk and speculation about our form, but we showed everyone how much quality we have and what we can do.
“It’s amazing to get the win but we have to be consistent.
“We have the next game coming up in a few days and we have to win again.”