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England 6-2 Iran: Match report, player ratings, fan reaction & more

England kicked off their 2022 World Cup campaign vs Iran on Monday.

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England headed into the game as clear favourites, despite never having played Iran in a competitive match before.

Gareth Southgate opted for a four-back formation, forsaking his preferred five-back likely due to Kyle Walker not being fit enough to start yet.

Despite this, England still came away with the win on the day.

England dominated early on and should have had a penalty after Harry Maguire was tackled to the ground from a corner but VAR did not give it.

The Three Lions’ first real chance of the game came seven minutes in. Kieran Trippier played a free-kick short to Harry Kane who crossed to Harry Maguire but the centre-back could not direct the ball back across goal.

Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was injured in that move. He tried to stay on after being down for a long period but went down again minutes later before being subbed.

England were still able to create chances, though, with Bukayo Saka finding Mason Mount in the box but the midfielder put his effort wide. Harry Maguire then smashed a header off the crossbar 32 minutes in.

After coming close a few times, England got their goal after 34 minutes. Shaw crossed to Jude Bellingham who floated his header over the Iran keeper.

Southgate’s side continued to dominate after the opener and added a second 43 minutes in. Shaw crossed to Maguire who headed down to Saka before the Arsenal made smashed in from the edge of the box.

And it took just another two minutes for England to add a third. Bellingham started a counter which saw Kane slip the ball to Raheem Sterling for his goal.

Iran began the second 45 much better than the first but England still managed to score again. Sterling found Saka who cut inside and made it five.

England were unable to keep a clean sheet, however, as Iran pulled one back after 65 minutes through Mehdi Taremi.

But the Three Lions restored their four-goal lead after 71 minutes via substitute Marcus Rashford, who scored with his first three touches.

The final England goal of the match came after 89 minutes. Callum Wilson got in behind and squared it to Jack Grealish.

Iran pulled a goal back late in injury time after VAR gave a soft penalty despite not even looking at the Maguire foul in the first half which was much worse and that is how the tie finished.

England player ratings

Jordan Pickford (5) – Had little to do all game and could not have done much about Iran’s first goal. Went the wrong way for the penalty.

Kieran Trippier (7.5) – Provided a solid attacking threat throughout the match via set-pieces and from crosses.

John Stones (6) – A quiet but competent display from the Manchester City centre-back.

Harry Maguire (8) – Started at LCB and looked very comfortable on the ball, bringing it out from deep to help start attacks. Was a serious threat from corners as well, providing the assist for England’s second. Taken off after 67 minutes with what appeared to be a concussion.

Luke Shaw (8) – Like Trippier, Shaw was a real threat for England, spending much of the game in Iran’s half and putting in a number of good crosses, including for Bellingham’s goal.

Declan Rice (7) – Rice controlled the tempo of the match very well, ending the game with a 97 per cent passing accuracy.

Jude Bellingham (9) – Scored the opener with a great header. Started the counter-attack for England’s third. A truly dominant display from the 19-year-old.

Bukayo Saka (9.5) – Was one of England’s brighter players in the first 45 and probably should have had an assist but Mason Mount put his chance wide. Scored England’s second with a stunning finish before adding their 4th 61 minutes in.

Mason Mount (5) – Should have done better with a chance 30 minutes in. Was the quietest of England’s starting attackers by some distance.

Raheem Sterling (8) – Showed great composure to score England’s third with the outside of his boot. Got the assist for Saka’s second.

Harry Kane (7) – Had a quiet first 45 but produced a good ball for Sterling’s goal and set up Rashford for the 5th.

Substitutes

Phil Foden (4)

Marcus Rashford (6)

Eric Dier (5)

Jack Grealish (6)

Callum Wilson (6)

Iran player ratings

Alireza Beiranvand (4)

Sadegh Moharrami (3)

Morteza Pouraliganji (3)

Rouzbeh Cheshmi (3)

Majid Hosseini (3)

Milad Mohammadi (4)

Ahmad Nourollahi (4)

Ali Karimi (3)

Ehsan Hajsafi (3)

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (4)

Mehdi Taremi (6)

Substitutes

Seyed Hossein Hosseini (2)

Hossein Kanaani (3)

Ali Gholizadeh (5)

Saeid Ezatolahi (3)

Match reaction

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Josh Barker

Middlesbrough fan from the North East of England. @JoshBarker979 on Twitter.

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