Ratings: Impressive Saka, Bellingham help England thump Iran in World Cup 2022

The Three Lions made a statement with a 6-2 demolition of Team Melli in the first group stage game.

The game transpired with England ascending in possession while Iran set back largely in the World Cup 2022 game. But England continued their onslaught, with Saka a massive threat on the right flank. His pass to Mount in the opposition box, who hit the side netting, followed by Maguire heading the post as England grew in the game. The answer finally came when Shaw found Bellingham with his whipped cross in the box, who guided the ball into the far-right corner with a flicked header.

After that, England were unbeatable, with Saka increasing the lead with a volley after Sterling prodded the ball into Iran's net following Kane's low cross.

The second half also belonged to the Three Lions, with Saka demonstrating his patience before placing the ball into the bottom left corner. At the same time, Iran grabbed consolation goals through Taremi, but England reestablished their footing with goals from freshly added Rashford and Grealish.

England player ratings 

GK: Jordan Pickford – 6/10

Pickford was usually uninterrupted as Iran rarely threatened. However, his ball distribution was impressive, and England could build from the back. But he paid the price for lack of attentiveness when Taremi fired the shot on the roof of the net.  

RB: Kieran Trippier – 7/10

It explains why Southgate trusts him more than any other RB in England, his surging runs, dangerous cross in Iran's box, and stellar defending, as Trippier made three recoveries. 

CB: John Stones – 6/10

Stones might not have been seen in the game, but his slick passing and elevating the pressure were instrumental in the match as he made 12 successful passes and made 101 touches. 

CB: Harry Maguire – 7/10

He is a different player for England, calm and composed, always analyzing the ground before making passes. Maguire was satisfactory and was unlucky not to score as his header hit the post. But he had an assist to his name today. 

LB: Luke Shaw – 8/10

The United left-back was exceptional and effective while going forward and defending. His whipped cross for Bellingham opened the England route, and the player played a key part in other goals as well. 

RM: Declan Rice – 8/10

Magnificently adjusted between the two defenders, allowing them to move higher up the pitch while he remained in his own half. Acted as an extra-defender for England when Iran tried threatening. 

AM: Mason Mount – 7/10

The Blues midfielder was everywhere to be seen on the pitch as he controlled the tone of the game and his aggressiveness against the opposition helped him make three ball recoveries.

CM: Jude Bellingham – 8/10

Bellingham showed his excellent work rate in the match, joining the team in attack and falling back to help the defence in counter-attack, and also got a reward with a sensational goal. 

RW: Bukayo Saka – 9/10

Brilliant on the ball and confident in creating space and drew defenders out of their positions. Saka was assertive and would take on defenders with his quick feet, and subsequently benefitted when he rolled the back in top-scorer, and followed it with another cool finish.

RW: Raheem Sterling – 8/10

Although Sterling was not on the ball much but when he was, he made sure England created great chances with his pace and drove the team forward. He was at the right place to put Harry Kane's low cross in the net. 

CF: Harry Kane – 8/10 

Despite not being on the scoresheet, he will be happy with two assists; Kane dropped deep and helped in the build-up. With two big chances created and nine decisive passes, Kane turned into a playmaker today for England. 

Substitutes:

Marcus Rashford – 8/10 

A few seconds into the pitch, he gets his name on the scoresheet; Rashford had already made a statement with his fine finish. 

Phil Foden – 6/10

Always makes an impact with a late introduction, Foden thrives under pressure and opens up defences with his defence-piercing passing, as he created one key pass. 

Jack Grealish – 8/10 

Seconds after coming on the field, Grealish was tenacious and pressed relentlessly to win the possession back. He finally got the award with a goal and completed 100% passes. 

Callum Wilson – 7/10

Left a great impression on the field with an assist. Wilson carried Kane 30 minutes legacy on the field with a sensational assist to Grealish. 

Eric Dier – 6/10 

The Tottenham defender got his cameo and was decent on the ball. 

Iran player ratings 

GK: Beiranvand – 6/10 

If it was not for collision, Beiranvand would have goalkeeping attributes and prevented few goals. However, he did clear one shot before colliding. 

RB: Sadegh Moharrami – 6/10

Moharrami couldn't assert himself and was frequently exposed by Kane and Sterling, he also lost possession and was dribbled past once and had many misplaced passes. 

CB: Morteza Pouraligani – 7/10

The centre-back of Iran was playing in an unusual place but contributed reasonably against England, winning the ball back once and making a critical clearance while also winning the penalty. 

CB: Majid Hosseini – 5/10 

An embarrassing defending by Hosseini, couldn't cope with pressure and was easily allowed opposition past him twice and made only one successful pass out of five. 

LB: Milad Mohammadi – 7/10

The left-back was decent throughout the match and averted danger, making a great interception and four successful passes. He was the only defender who did not lose his fortitude. 

CM: Ali Karimi – 4/10 

Karimi couldn't influence the game with his vision, as he was isolated by England's midfield and barely made nine touches in the entire game. While defensively, he won the possession twice. 

CM: Rouzbeh Cheshmi – 4/10 

Cheshmi had a night to forget, as he failed to dovetail well with defence and was constantly run over by Sterling and Kane. He was bullied by England forwards. 

AM: Ahmad Nourollahi – 5/10 

Nourollahi was confined in place by Declan Rice and failed to deceive; he could not assert himself in the match and set the rhythm of the Iran match, although he managed only two recoveries. 

LB: Ehsan Hajsafi – 6/10 

The left-back played on centre midfield and had the least touches (38) on the centre of the park, immensely failed to form cohesiveness with defence or attack, and also lost possession. 

RW: Alireza Jahanbakhsh – 5/10

Another player had the least touches, with only 16 in the entire game, and completed only 62% of the pass. However, the RW of Iran did test England keeper Pickford with an explosive shot but failed to partner well with Taremi. 

CF: Mehdi Taremi – 8/10

Taremi couldn't make his presence felt as he was marked most of the time, but he did well in pressing, recovered the ball, made successful passes, and will find solace, scoring a Brace for Iran.  

Substitutes 

Sardar Azmoun – 6/10 

The Bayern Leverkusen was introduced late in the hope of a goal, and the striker did cause a stir, with his shot hitting the woodwork, but also spurned a glorious opportunity. 

Mehdi Torabi – 7/10 

Torabi should start the next game; he changed the game of Iran as he set the team footing and directed the match, making two key passes and creating one big chance. Hopefully, Queiroz will start him in the next game. 

Saeid Ezatolahi – 5/10 

Alongside Torabi, Ezatolahi was also instrumental in drifting the match in Iran's possession and helping the team gain momentum; he made Pickford move out of his position with a fine shot and made one key pass. 

Ali Gholizadeh – 7/10 

An immediate effect after coming on, he made sure Iran would not let England win the match with a clean sheet, as his sensational reverse pass to Taremi resulted in a goal. 

Hossein Kanani – 4/10

The centre-back had a decent cameo; he came in Cheshmi's place hoping to thwart England from scoring the goal but failed miserably. 

Seyed Hossein Hosseini – 5/10  

A forgetful debut for the goalkeeper; he was exposed by England player and a sorry defending by Iran. Seyed couldn't help but witness the ball rolling in his net six times.