Southgate confirms England players will take the knee before Iran WC opener
England take on Iran in their first encounter of the World Cup 2022 as Gareth Southgate’s men hope to qualify out of Group B.
Their recent tournament runs under Southgate have been impressive. They reached the semi-finals of the World Cup four years ago before losing in a penalty shootout to Italy in the final of Euro 2020 – not that we need reminding of that. With a core group of players set to play a part in all three tournaments can this campaign prove to be a long hoped for success or has Southgate’s team already passed their peak?
James Maddison missed the match after training away from the rest of the squad but everyone else was fit to go. The manager opted against starting Kalvin Phillips in midfield to test his fitness with Bukayo Saka the headline selection in a more attacking-looking side than we are perhaps used to from Southgate.
Today’s encounter is the first time England have ever played Iran in competitive football. Russia 2018 saw Iran record their best performance at a World Cup as they lost out on the knockout stages by just one point. The Iranians are 20th in the Fifa rankings and have an experienced squad to call on which could make this a tricky opener for the Three Lions.
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England vs Iran
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GOAL! England 4-1 Iran (Taremi, 65’)⚽️
65 mins: Iran get one back!
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:35
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GOAL! England 4-0 Iran (Saka, 63’)⚽️
63 mins: Bang! England add to their tally. Raheem Sterling starts the move with a darting run across the Iranian final third before sliding the ball up to Bukayo Saka on the right wing.
Sterling is taken out leaving Saka on his own but the 21-year-old brings the ball into the area. He cuts inside once, twice and then unleashes a left-footed strike that keeps Hossein Hosseini rooted to the spot as the ball lands in the back of the net.
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:32
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England 3-0 Iran
60 mins: There certainly seems to be a more concerted effort from Iran to get further up the pitch and put pressure on John Stones and Harry Maguire when they have the ball.
Mehdi Taremi controls an aerial ball and knocks it back to Saeed Ezatolahi. He shoots from range but hooks the effort well wide of the target.
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:31
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England 3-0 Iran
57 mins: Oh lovely! Maguire wins the ball on the edge of his own box and runs it into midfield before finding Raheem Sterling.
Sterling sprints into space and gives the ball to Harry Kane. Kane has his back to goal and draws a centre-back out of position before flicking the ball behind him allowing Sterling the continue his run into the box.
Sterling has Saka up with him but he loses possession as he attempts to check back onto his right foot.
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:27
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England 3-0 Iran
54 mins: Harry Maguire is well marked as England swing another corner into the box. The intensity has slackened slightly from England due to their three goal cushion and Maguire can’t get his head to the ball this time.
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:26
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England 3-0 Iran
51 mins: Kieran Trippier takes the set piece for England and smokes his effort at goal straight into the wall. The right-back attempts to recycle the ball into the box but his dainty cross is cleared.
Kane and Trippier have both taken knocks early in this second half as Iran are flinging themselves into tackles. Gareth Southgate will need to keep an eye on things to ensure his key players don’t get injured out there.
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:22
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England 3-0 Iran
48 mins: Iran have made three more changes at half time with Ali Gholizadeh, Saeed Ezatolahi and Hossein Kanaanizadegan coming on to replace Rouzbeh Cheshmi, Ali Karimi and Alireza Jahanbakhsh.
Harry Kane is high up the pitch and England win a free kick in a dangerous area.
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:20
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Second half: England 3-0 Iran
Kick off: England start the second half full of confidence. Gareth Southgate hasn’t made any changes at the break but they will certainly be coming before too long.
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:16
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HT England 3-0 Iran
The young lions shine for England. Bellingham and Saka’s goals are their first in a World Cup tournament.
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:14
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HT England 3-0 Iran
Jude Bellingham has become England’s second youngest scorer at the World Cup (19 years, 145 days) behind only Michael Owen in 1998 (18 years, 190 days).
Michael Jones21 November 2022 14:11