Having no success in the UEFA Nations League, England played Iran in their first game of The World Cup. England headed into the match as heavy favourites and they definitely showed us why.
The squad consisted of: Pickford (in goal); Trippier; Stones; Maguire; Shaw (making up the back four); Bellingham; Mount; Rice (in the middle); Saka; Sterling and Kane (up front). I have to say that this was a menacing squad and even the bench could have made up another strong starting eleven.
When the fixtures were released, I was frustrated to see the opening game on Monday at 13:00 because I knew that school would probably not let us watch it; however, I was wrong and late last week they announced that they were going to allow us to watch it. I would never have thought that they would have let us miss three hours of school due to a football match as when the Rugby World Cup was on they did not even talk about it.
In the first half, it was easy to see who was going to be in control of the game as Iran could not take the ball off us at all, and whenever they did it seemed that they were struggling to even get out of their own half. England were very good in all departments, but some of the attacking that they did was especially on point. The first nine minutes were quite boring and I think The Lions were just trying to settle into the game. This got disrupted, however, when the Iranian keeper and player clashed resulting in the keeper sustaining a broken nose. One thing annoyed me, and that was when the keeper carried on instead of going off - as he was in no condition to play on - but two minutes later, after making his decision, he asked to be subbed and he had already wasted enough time. They should have forced him to come off when they knew it was a broken nose so that they could get their reserve keeper on and carry on with play. After this, England slowly got back into the game and it was in the 35th minute where we netted our first goal of the tournament: Shaw whipped the ball into the box and Bellingham headed it, which resulted in the net rippling. Watching it with my friends in school, we went ‘mental’ and it was like we were actually there. I thought that Bellingham was brilliant today as, not only did he score, he was always winning the ball back and starting off attacks. After this goal there was no stopping us because eight minutes later we got our second goal of the game. The ball was swung in from a corner, Maguire headed it down to Saka, who went on to smash it into the top right corner. This was a very well formed goal and I do not know why the Iran players started complaining. Fourteen minutes were added on (which is the highest time added I have ever seen) and during the first minute of this we added to our two goals. Kane crossed the ball in from the edge of the box where Sterling was there to volley it into the bottom right corner of the goal. Another great goal and this was when I thought that it was going to be a very high scoring game.
3-0 to us at halftime and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the way we played. Being at school, it was lesson changeover so I was separated from my main football friends for the second half; however, it was still good to watch.
The players came back on to the pitch for the second period and this half was packed with drama. It was a slow start from both teams and it was, again, England who were the ones constantly on the attack seeking to make their advantage bigger and it was not long until they did this as in the 62nd minute we made it four. Sterling passed the ball to Saka, who then went on to make an incredible run into the box where he easily slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. Surprisingly, Iran started to switch on after this and three minutes later, in the 65th minute, Mehdi Taremi had the ball played through to him and he booted it into the roof of the net reducing the deficit. I do not know why, but Iran did not even try to get another after this and we were, yet again, in control of the game. Iran dropping off, after scoring, was a stupid mistake as nine minutes later, just after being subbed on, Rashford added to the scoreline. Kane passed the ball to him, where he went on to dribble into the box and stick it into the same side of the net as Saka did. That is now 5-1 and I think you now know why I said ‘England headed into the match as heavy favourites and they definitely showed us why’. This is the highest scoring match that I have seen England win since they thrashed San Marino 0-10.
Just as I thought it was over, the fourth official announced that there was going to be a minimum of ten minutes. What for? There were no major injuries, no disruptions. The only thing I can think of is the water breaks - which, anyway, there were not that many of - or the goals. Anyway there should not have been this many minutes added on; however, both teams benefited from it. England were the first to score. Bellingham slid to the ball, which resulted in a brilliant pass to Cullum Wilson who then ran into the box, passed it to Grealish and he finished it off. Again, another easy goal and Iran have some serious issues in defence, which they need to get fixed. After this goal, I was sitting at my desk and I was saying that that was it and the referee should just blow his whistle. Iran had a corner just at the end of the game and nothing came from it; however for some reason the referee blew his whistle and it said that there was a VAR check for a potential penalty and I was thinking what could it possibly be for? He ended up going to check for himself and it looked as if some shirt pulling was going on. He ran back onto the pitch and pointed to the spot. Now, if that was given then shouldn't that challenge on Maguire early on in the first half been given? It was just absurd and there was no point in even going through all of that fuss as it was 6-1 to England with about a minute to play. Anyway, the penalty stood and Mehdi Taremi comfortably put the ball into the bottom right corner making Pickford dive the wrong way. Seconds after restart, finally, the referee blew his whistle resulting in us winning our first game of the tournament.
WOW! I am blown away by this performance and if we can carry this on throughout the whole tournament then we have a high chance at winning it or progressing far. Our next game is against the USA and hopefully we can get those three points.
Really interestingly written as when you read it Jack brings the game and highlights alive in an exciting way!
Very awesome... now x