Pagelle England v Iran 6-2, Southgate’s selection begin their journey with a resounding goleada: report cards, votes, video and highlights
An easier-than-expected debut for Gareth Southgate’s England, who thrashed Iran 6-2 to beat them in the first few minutes of the match. The reigning European vice-champions were on velvet, devastating already in the first half, which ended with the result of 3-0. In the second half, the English limited themselves to managing, but managed to find the way of the goal on three other occasions. A performance ultimately ‘dirtied’ by Taremi’s two goals. The Porto striker, first on an action and then on a penalty kick, made the humiliation less heavy for the selection coached by Portuguese Carlos Queiroz. For the national team of the Three Lions the first three points of the World Cup arrived without any problems, waiting to face the USA and Wales.
England’s drumming attacks began in the opening minutes, with Iran completely holed up in their own half and unable to take the initiative. Rhythm was broken by the long injury lay-off of goalkeeper Beiranvand, who was forced off after suffering a blow to the nose. At the 35th minute the match was unblocked: Bellingham did it, taking advantage of a Shaw cross from the left. Within nine minutes the Englishmen had scored two more: Saka on 44′ made no mistake after a Maguire pass and Sterling knocked Iran out on 46′, volleying in a Kane cross.
Pagelle England v Iran 6-2, double for Saka
Taremi
In the second half, Iran, now resigned, timidly began to come forward: the jerseys opened up and England punished with Saka, a double for the Arsenal striker. Queiroz’s selection had a surge of pride at 4-1: it was the usual Taremi who took advantage of a Gholizadeh filter and beat a blameless Pickford with a goal like a thoroughbred striker. Rashford, who had just entered, made it 5-1, and Grealish, who had also been brought on by Southgate as the game wore on, joined the goal-fest. Then, in the final minutes, it was Taremi again who made the score less heavy, scoring a penalty to make it 6-2.
- INGHILTERRA (4-2-3-1): Pickford 6.5; Trippier 6, Stones 6, Maguire 6.5 (70′ Dier 6), Shaw 7; Rice 6.5, Bellingham 7.5; Saka 8 (70′ Rashford 7), Mount 6.5 (70′ Foden 6), Sterling 7.5 (70′ Grealish 7); Kane 7 (76′ Wilson 6.5). Manager: Southgate
- IRAN (4-3-3): Beiranvand S.V. (19′ Hosseini H. 5.5); Moharrami 4.5, Cheshmi 5 (46′ Kanaani 5), Mohammadi 4 (61′ Torabi 6), Hosseini 4; Hajisafi 4.5, Karimi 4.5 ( 46′ Ezatolahi 5. 5), Nourollahi 5 (77′ Azmoun 6); Jahanbakhsh 5 (46′ Gholizadeh 6.5), Taremi 7.5, Pouralinganji 5.5. Ct: Queiroz
- MARKERS: 35′ Bellingham, 43′ Saka, 46′ Sterling, 63′ Saka, 66′ Taremi, 71′ Rashford, 90′ Grealish, 103′ Taremi (rig)
- ARBITRO: Claus (Brazil)
NOTE: Cautions: Jahanbakhsh, Pouraliganji (Ir); recovery: 14′ pt and 13’st