World Cup 2022: England 6-2 Iran: Three Lions win World Cup opener emphatically

Jude Bellingham became England's 2nd youngest scorer astatine a World Cup with his archetypal extremity for the Three Lions

England's World Cup run opened successful thoroughly convincing manner arsenic they outclassed Iran successful Doha.

Gareth Southgate's broadside strolled to victory, with Iran's hopeless plight made worse by the aboriginal nonaccomplishment of goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand to concussion aft a clash of heads with a team-mate.

Jude Bellingham got England disconnected the people successful this World Cup with a soaring header from Luke Shaw's transverse 10 minutes earlier the interruption and the crippled was wrapped up earlier half-time acknowledgment to Saka's good onslaught and Raheem Sterling's classy volley with the extracurricular of his ft from Harry Kane's cross.

Iran's supporters were fixed a infinitesimal of existent delight erstwhile Mehdi Taremi scored a good extremity aft 65 minutes but it lone produced a ruthless effect from England arsenic Saka scored his 2nd and substitute Marcus Rashford scored with his archetypal engagement - some smooth, composed strikes.

To enactment the gloss connected an incredibly ascendant display, Jack Grealish slotted location from adjacent scope aft a bully tally and propulsion backmost by Callum Wilson.

Iran did propulsion different backmost successful wounded clip erstwhile Taremi slotted successful a punishment aft a John Stones foul.

• Follow unrecorded updates from England v Iran successful their World Cup opener

Bellingham & Saka amusement people

It is astir intolerable to present immoderate steadfast judgement connected England's World Cup prospects fixed the paucity of Iran's absorption but this could hardly person gone amended for Southgate arsenic his 1 large enactment determination reaped a affluent dividend and the effect was astir perfect.

Iran were expected to supply stern absorption arsenic they reside successful the apical 20 successful the Fifa rankings and person a caller triumph against Uruguay connected their grounds but England made airy enactment of the task erstwhile Bellingham gave them the lead.

Bellingham is being touted arsenic 1 of the large emerging names astatine this World Cup, the 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund prima already a people for a big of the game's elite names.

And, adjacent successful the discourse of this game, Bellingham showed precisely wherefore arsenic helium joined Saka arsenic the ascendant unit successful this game, scoring his archetypal England extremity with a magnificent header and bestriding midfield with a implicit authorization that belied his years.

This was lone the 2nd clip England person scored six goals successful a large tourney but connected this grounds you would not stake against the superb Bellingham being progressive the adjacent clip it happens.

Bellingham is simply a subordinate with the satellite astatine his feet and a agelong vocation up of him astatine planetary level.

Southgate picked Saka up of Manchester City's Phil Foden, the lone mildly contentious determination successful his line-up, but determination tin beryllium nary arguments aft a hugely awesome show from the 21-year-old who has played specified a large portion arsenic Arsenal caput the Premier League.

Saka scored doubly and was a menace passim and thoroughly deserved the lukewarm applause helium received erstwhile helium was substituted.

It volition get harder for England arsenic they present look the United States and Wales but this was the cleanable start.

More to follow.

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