‘I think we can go all the way’
FANS CONFIDENT AFTER ENGLAND’S FIRST VICTORY
A RESOUNDING victory for England over Iran in their first group game of the 2022 Qatar World Cup has instilled confidence in many fans. Those who came to watch the game in Cleethorpes Park bar were very impressed by the younger stars in particular. Jude Bellingham became only the second teenager to score for England at a World Cup after Michael Owen did so in 1998 against Argentina. Although Owen may have been slightly younger than Bellingham at the time, he did become the first player to score for England at the tournament who was born after 2000. Keeping youth at the centre of their success, 21-year-old Bakayo Saka got in on the act, bagging a brace before being subbed off in the latter stages of the game.
Rediscovering his form, Raheem Sterling cemented a solid first half performance to make it 3-0 before the break.
In the second half, the substitutes stole the show with Marcus Rashford, Callum Wilson and Jack Grealish all playing their part to double England’s tally. However, a clean sheet was not on the table as Iran’s main man Mehdi Taremi netted two goals, including a last minute penalty that raised a few eyebrows after VAR claimed a shirt pull by John Stones. Regardless of the controversy, fans were ecstatic to see football return to their screens. One fan, Edward Watson believes this result is the stepping stone England need to allow them to achieve success at this year’s World Cup.
He explained: “I expected to win, but not to that extent.
“I think we played much better than we all thought we would.
“I thought it might end up being two or three nil so to end up with six was great.
“However, you could tell we were more vulnerable after Harry Maguire came off injured.
“I must say though, I think we played pretty well over the pitch today.
“I’ll certainly be in the pub for the game against the USA and with a performance like that I reckon we could go all the way.”
Friend Joe Conway added: “We played well and scored a few more goals than I predicted we would. “Although we were always going to win, it was nice to just watch the game with my mates and relax.
“I have to say though, this shows that people were too quick to write off Gareth Southgate. After a performance like that, people would be stupid to not back him.”
I thought it might end up being two or three nil so to end up with six was great.
Edward Watson