England player ratings as Bellingham shows class and Maguire excellent vs Iran

England got their 2022 World Cup campaign off to the perfect start - and Gareth Southgate is the one again.

Bukayo Saka grabbed a stunning brace with Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also got on the scoresheet against a tame Iran side - who pulled two back through Mehdi Taremi - and get Gareth Southgate's men ready to the United States and Wales.

The early stages of the first half was marred by a head injury suffered by Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand. The Persepolis man clashed heads with a defender when coming for a cross, was given nine minutes of treatment, tried to continue before eventually succumbing to a probable concussion.

But England turned rampant. Harry Maguire fired a warning shot by nodding a header onto the crossbar before Bellingham opened his England account by meeting Luke Shaw's inch-perfect cross.

Arsenal winger Saka met Harry Maguire's nod down to powerfully double the Three Lions' lead before Harry Kane fired a low ball across to give an unmarked Sterling a simple finish.

Saka, who ended last year's Euro 2020 final in tears after missing a penalty in a shoot-out, made it 4-0 with a dancing run into the area before curling in the bottom corner. Rashford cooly slid in moments after coming off the bench. Fellow sub Jack Grealish tapped into an open goal after Callum Wilson strode in behind.

Taremi twice grabbed a consolation for Iran, including a 103rd-minute penalty after John Stones had grappled an attacker to the ground in the box.

ENGLAND (4-3-3)

Jordan Pickford : 7

Let's be honest, he was largely a spectator. His kicking was good and he made an incredible save near the end.

Kieran Trippier: 7

Lively, strong and impressive down the right flank. What a threat from set pieces, his corners a major threat.

John Stones: 7

Composed and assured, his partnership with Maguire looked good. Two late blemishes but generally excellent.

Harry Maguire: 7

Excellent. This was a big performance, full of confidence, justified his place. Sad to see him go off injured.

Luke Shaw: 8

What a performance. Superb delivery for the cross on Bellingham's opener and has made the No3 shirt his own.

Declan Rice: 7

Solid display. Looked good on the ball even if he was rather outshone this time by Bellingham.

Jude Bellingham: 9

A coming of age performance. So cool and classy. You can add a few more million onto next summer's transfer auction.

Mason Mount: 7

Tireless and hard working performance, particularly in the first half. No wonder managers like and trust him so much.

Bukayo Saka: 8

Two goals and outstanding throughout the whole game. What a star in the making. The epitome of the modern winger.

Raheem Sterling: 8

Back among the goals and was a constant threat. Looked really dangerous and showed again he delivers for England.

Harry Kane: 8

The armband furore did not affect his performance on the pitch. Made a huge contribution to the team.

Substitutes

Dier, for Maguire, 70 mins, 7

Grealish, for Sterling, 71 mins, 6

Rashford, Saka, 71 mins, 7

Foden, for Mount, 71 mins, 6

Wilson, for Kane, 75 mins, 6

Not used: Walker, Grealish, Henderson, Rashford, Pope, Phillips, Dier, Coady, Alexander-Arnold, Foden, White, Ramsdale,, Maddison, Gallagher

Iran (5-3-2): Beyranvand 5 (H Hosseini 20, 5); Moharrami 5, Pouraliganji 5, Cheshmi 5 (Kanani, 46, 5), M Hosseini 5, Mohammadi 5; Noorollahi 6 (Azmoun, 78), Karimi5 (Ezatolahi, 46, 5), Hajisafi 5; Jahanbakhsh 5 (Gholizadeh, 46, 5), Taremi 7.

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