England v Iran 6-2: World Cup 2022 – as it happened

There were no surprises in this game. England dominated from start to finish, earning a well-deserved 6-2 win.

Coach Gareth Southgate’s men have incredible strength in depth, which was on display today though they must improve their defending if they want to go far in this tournament.

You can view our match report here.

Until next time, thank you for joining us.

England conceded two goals today and Manager Gareth Southgate is aware that their defending must improve ahead of potentially tougher games against a youthful USA side and a Gareth Bale-inspired Wales.

Southgate is justifiably frustrated by the way in which his troops conceded two goals against Iran, who were never in the game.

“I’m a bit fed up with the end of it, really!” he said. “To win by that margin, to play as we did for the majority of the game, we’ve got to be really happy. We looked ready. The players dealt with the game really well. Our press was really good, our movement was really good. I’ve got to be really happy. But we shouldn’t be conceding two goals at that stage of the game. We’ll have to be right on our game against the States. It’s a great start, but we’ll have to be better.”

Man of the match Bukayo Saka has established himself as a vital cog for England and will be key for the Three Lions in this tournament. He is proud of the win for his country as he feels the game showed the team’s strength in depth.

“I can’t describe the feeling – it’s amazing,” said the Arsenal star. “I’m so happy, I’m so proud, and we’ve got the win as well, so it’s a really special day! We needed a good start, we didn’t play the best coming into the tournament. But we showed everyone how much quality we have and what we can do. It’s amazing. We have to be consistent, because we have the next game coming up in a few days and we have to come again. I feel like I’m in a good place.”

England dominated this game, scoring six goals and having 79 percent ball possession.

It was a strong performance from Saka, who won the “Man of the Match” award.

There will be some concerns about the Three Lions defending as they sloppily conceded two goals to Mehdi Taremi through defensive lapses in concentration. They got the job done today but cannot afford this when they encounter stronger tests later in the tournament.

Iran will look to learn from the lessons ahead of their game against Wales on Friday.

GOAL!

Taremi steps up to the spot and sends Jordan Pickford the wrong way.

Penalty to Iran.

John Stones is penalised for a shirt pull. A video assistant referee (VAR) check awards the penalty.

The 10 minutes of second-half stoppage time combined with the 14 in the first half means that this game has seen more than 24 minutes of stoppage time.

England now have jointly their biggest-ever World Cup win, matching their 2018 group stage win over Panama.

One more goal could see them set a new record.

Goal!

Grealish scores to make it six for England.

Callum Wilson looked like he was going to shoot but opted to take the less selfish route and play in Grealish, who simply had to tuck the ball into the net.

There will be 10 minutes of second-half stoppage time here.

Truth be told, Iran cannot take many positives from this game.

England were surely favourites to win, but Iran may have hoped to be more competitive. They have been thoroughly thrashed here and this performance will raise serious doubts over whether they can progress beyond the group stage.

Team Melli have had just 20 percent ball possession in the game.

Marcus Rashford shows some individual brilliance, beating a couple of Iran defenders and shooting. He wins a corner for his efforts. But the corner comes to nothing as an England player is penalised for a foul.

“I wish we weren’t facing England,” an Iranian radio host commentating on the match tells listeners after the team concedes a fifth goal against the Three Lions.

“I wish [at] least we weren’t playing them on the first match. We were building nice momentum earlier in the game. We should now focus on matches with Wales and USA.”

This is now officially Iran’s heaviest defeat in any World Cup match.

England now seem content with the score. The speed of their play has slowed down and who can blame them?

They have done the hard work now and are looking to run down the clock.

Iran have not had a good day but their supporters remain full of energy, cheering on as Sardar Azmoun comes on for Ahmad Noorollahi.

Taremi has a chance to score again but fails to produce a similar finish to that which saw him notch a consolation for Iran.

Kane is off and replaced by Wilson.

The England captain may have not scored today but he had a good game, drifting out wide, picking out passes and finding crosses.

It wasn’t going to be long before we heard this … again!

Five!

I'm sorry to have to be the bearer of good tidings: but it's coming home.

😉#sorrynotsorry #ThreeLions

— Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) November 21, 2022

GOAL!

Rashford scores seconds after coming on. He beats a defender before slotting in past Majid Hosseini, showing skill and composure. Kane did good work in the build-up.

Rashford, Grealish, Eric Dier and Phil Foden all came on moments earlier with Saka, Harry Maguire, Raheem Sterling and Mason Mount all making way.

Maguire is off for England who are down to 10 men for now.

Dier will soon come on along with three other players. Jude Bellingham fills in at centre back for the moment.

A lot of love for Saka today…

Sugoi Sakano senshu desu.

— Gary Lineker 💙💛 (@GaryLineker) November 21, 2022

RT https://t.co/AwrD10p7rR

— England (@England) November 21, 2022

BUKAYO!!!!

Wow!

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) November 21, 2022

GOAL!

Iran score. England will not keep a clean sheet. Taremi scores a beauty.

A lapse in concentration from the England defence results in Taremi finding himself in good space. When he gets the ball, he slides it beyond Pickford. Iran have a consolation goal.