England have thrashed Iran 6-2 of their opening World Cup recreation in Qatar.
The match at Khalifa International Stadium marked the first-ever encounter between the 2 groups and noticed 1000’s of followers pack the stands to observe the motion unfold.
Before kick-off, some England supporters struggled to enter the stadium as a result of a problem with the FIFA ticketing app.
As the sport started, the Three Lions took the knee in a gesture in opposition to racism and inequality after rowing again on a choice for the captain to put on the OneLove armband over a risk by FIFA that it might lead to a yellow card for Harry Kane.
The World Cup has been largely overshadowed by non-sporting points, together with criticism of Qatar’s human rights abuses.
In an obvious act of assist for protesters again house, Iran’s aspect selected to not sing their nation’s nationwide anthem earlier than the sport started.
Within minutes of the match starting, Iran’s goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was clattered within the head throughout a collision with one in every of his teammates, forcing him to the bottom and finally taken off the pitch on a stretcher with a suspected concussion.
It was within the thirty fifth minute that England secured their first aim, which was scored by 19-year-old Jude Bellingham.
The aspect stored strain on Iran and Bukayo Saka scored a second aim within the forty third minute earlier than Raheem Sterling made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time.
Saka additionally scored the fourth aim on 62 minutes, earlier than Iran pulled one again within the 65 minute with Mehdi Taremi firing previous Jordan Pickford, who may solely get a hand to the strike.
Marcus Rashford calmly made it 5-1 within the 71st minute, moments after approaching to the pitch instead, and Jack Grealish added to the scoring within the closing minutes of the match.
After securing his aim, Grealish celebrated on the pitch by doing a dance that he had promised to carry out to a younger fan with cerebral palsy.
Iran made it 6-2 in added time after changing a penalty, with their first aim coming within the second half of the match due to Mehdi Taremi.
Source: information.sky.com”