The Three Lions of England has thrashed their Iranian counterpart 6-2, in the second match of the 2022 world cup hosted by Qatar.
The Iranian’s saw their first choice goalkeeper, Alireza Beyranvand suffer a nasty head injury early on as he tipped Harry Kane’s cross away from Bukayo Saka, colliding with a teammate in the process. He tried to continue the match after receiving treatment on the field, but couldn’t and had to be substituted in the 20th minute of the first half.
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England dominated the match at the Khalifa International Stadium from the onset, but had to wait until the 35th minute for Jude Bellingham’s opener.
The Borussia Dortmund Midfielder headed the ball into the top right, as he connected neatly to Luke Shaw’s cross into the box.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka scored the second goal in the 43rd minute, smashing a shot into the roof of the net, following Harry Maguire’s cushioned drop down of the ball from a corner kick.
With their goals Bellingham and Saka became England’s second and third youngest goal scorers at a FIFA World Cup, behind Michael Owen.
Raheem Sterling stamped Harry Kane’s low cross into the net to make it 3 goals for England in the first minute of first half injury time.
It took 17 minutes after the first half break, for Saka and Sterling to combine for England’s fourth goal. Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling provided the assist for Saka to score his second of the day.
Mehdi Taremi pulled one back for Iran in the 65th minute, barely three minutes after England’s fourth goal.
England Manager made 4 substitutions in the 70th minute and another in the 75th minute, showcasing the depth in England’s attack.
Tottenham’s Eric Dier came on to replace Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, Maguire’s teammate at Man. Utd, Marcus Rashford came in for Bukayo Saka, Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Phil Foden came in for Chelsea’s Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount respectively.
Any comeback dreams of the Iranian where snuffed out by Marcus Rashford’s goal moments after coming on. The Man. Utd forward took Harry Kane’s pass on the edge of the box, dribbled in, and slotted it past the goalkeeper and the Iranian defenders for England’s 5th goal.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane was replaced in the 75th minute by Newcastle’s Callum Wilson.
The Newcastle forward put his own mark on the game, providing a pass in the 90th minute for Jack Grealish to tap in the 6th goal.
Mehdi Taremi got his as well as Iran’s second goal in the 12th minute of injury time from the penalty spot.
Nnamdi Maduakor is a Writer, Investor and Entrepreneur
