England 6 - 2 Iran - FIFA World Cup 2022: Five different players scored as Gareth Southgate's England cruised to a comfortable victory over their Asian rivals at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Monday evening. Bukayo Saka's two goals led England to a brilliant start to the FIFA World Cup 2022 by defeating Iran 6-2 in the first match of Group B.
Iran, which entered the field with the goal of defeating a European country for the first time in the World Cup, had to become innocent against the one-time world champion England. Iran, having suffered six defeats out of eight matches against European countries in the World Cup, was tied in two matches.
Alireza Beranvand, Iran's first-choice goalkeeper, suffered a nose injury while clearing Kieron Trippier's free-kick in the eighth minute. After about 15 minutes of treatment, Beranvand had no choice but to change in the 19th minute.
Jude Bellingham scored the first goal in history against Iran in the 35th minute for England, who created continuous attacking opportunities. Bellingham, who made his debut in the World Cup for the first time in the match between Iran and England, scored a great goal through a header.
Less than 8 minutes later, Saka scored a great goal with a volley from a pass given by defender Harry Maguire.
At the end of the first half, Raheem Sterling scored the third goal for England after beating an unmanageable Iranian defence. Sterling, who was unmarked in front of the six-yard box, produced an acrobatic finish from captain Harry Kane's cross.
For England, who scored three goals in the first half, in the 62nd minute, Saka scored his second personal goal to extend the lead to 4-0. Mehdi Taremi pulled a goal back in the 65th minute for Iran, who rarely had a chance to breach the balanced English team's defense.
Ali Gholizade's pass gave a penalty 6 yards in front of the box, and Taremi's strong shot hit the crossbar and turned into a goal. Iranian coach Carlos Querez made three changes at halftime. The effect of this was seen at the beginning of the first half.
Despite showing signs of improvement compared to the first half, Iran could not stop three more goals against England. Marcus Rashford, who entered the field in the 71st minute in place of Saka, who scored two goals, converted the first pass into a goal.
Rashford scored a great goal by cutting in the penalty area from the right side of the pass given by captain Kane.
With one minute left of the scheduled 90 minutes of play, Iran scored the sixth goal after losing possession of the ball after reaching the England penalty area. Substitute Jack Grillis scored the sixth goal for England, taking advantage of an exposed Iranian defence. Callum Wilson's easy pass from the right was tapped in by Grillis who was unmarked in front of the six yard box.
Iran scored a second goal in injury time when English defender John Stones tackled forward Taremi in the 18-yard box. English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was spared in the penalty shot by Taremi.
England will face USA in the second match on Saturday. England, who are the only team to reach the semi-finals in two major tournaments, are the contenders for the ongoing World Cup title.
Southgate's team, who reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia in 2018 and were defeated by Croatia, lost to Italy in a penalty shootout in the final of the European Championship last year. Defeated Iran will play their second match against Wales on Friday.
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