SPORTS
Gareth Southgate's England hammered six goals past a hapless Iran as they began their FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign with a thumping 6-2 win.
England hammered six goals past Iran in their FIFA World Cup 2022 group B opener on Monday to bring up a statement 6-2 win over the Asian giants. The Three Lions were favourites to win the clash, but few could have predicted the outcome would be such a one-sided scoreline as Gareth Southgate's men had too much in the tank.
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for England in the 35th minute, followed by a brace from Bukayo Saka while Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish all got their names on the scoresheet. For Iran, Mehdi Taremi scored a brace to give the Iranian supporters something to cheer about.
Rashford and Saka had both missed crucial penalties at Euro 2022 for England as the Three Lions lost the final of the European Championships last year, and they had to face racial abuse from many fans. The two youngsters scored against Iran, in the first major international match since that final.
The win helped the Three Lions go top of Group B, albeit temporarily, with USA and Wales in action later in the day.
It was Bellingham, the 19-year-old who kick-started the goal fest with a sublime glancing header shortly after the half-hour mark, after being found expertly by Luke Shaw following good build-up play.
Crispy header from Bellingham #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/WtiRZrMLtf
— HD King (@astronomydrug) November 21, 2022
Bukayo Saka then scored a sublime second goal, doubling England's lead with a superb finish from his left foot, rifling into the roof of the net. His second goal was even better as the youngster drove through on goal and beat a couple of defenders before scoring the fourth goal for his side.
Bukayo Saka’s World Cup Debut. We’ll done, B! #afc pic.twitter.com/nOaGaLMysG
— DailyAFC (@DailyAFC) November 21, 2022
Raheem Sterling finished the game with a third goal for the Three Lions, he got the end of a cross from Kane to finish with aplomb.
Raheem Sterling goal#fifaworldcup #threelions pic.twitter.com/AuSXIcNSuE
— Big Fredo (@QwameShowboy) November 21, 2022
Bukayo Saka scores the fourth goal for England against Iran#ENGIRN #Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Xc83ivn0rl
— Marsal Qatar English (@MarsalQatar_EN) November 21, 2022
Mehdi Taremi scores the first goal for Iran against England#ENGIRN @England @TeamMelliIran #Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/6YIIeo89NS
— Marsal Qatar English (@MarsalQatar_EN) November 21, 2022
Marcus Rashford scores the fifth goal for Englandagainst Iran#ENGIRN @England @TeamMelliIran #Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/m4055TDXgX
— Marsal Qatar English (@MarsalQatar_EN) November 21, 2022
Jack Grealish scores the sixth goal for England against Iran#ENGIRN @England @TeamMelliIran #Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/0iCQY6t2Nb
— Marsal Qatar English (@MarsalQatar_EN) November 21, 2022
Mehdi Taremi scores the second goal for Iran against England#ENGIRN @England @TeamMelliIran #Qatar2022 | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/MxHXxBB7IZ
— Marsal Qatar English (@MarsalQatar_EN) November 21, 2022
More to follow..