Luay Ahmed
After a slow start to the match, which included a ten minute stoppage due to an injury to Iranian goalkeeper Beiranvand, after he collided with his team mate while trying to a claim a Harry Kane cross. Beiranvand would try to play on after the collision, but was eventually stretchered off in the 18th minute.
After the substitution, England started to grow into the game, and frustrated Iran by keeping possession for long periods of time. The frustration became evident when Jahanbakhsh was booked for a late tackle on Luke Shaw in the 25th minute.
England’s first big chance came a few minutes later, when a Bukayo Saka cross from the right wing found Mason Mount in space, but the Chelsea midfielder couldn’t steer his shot into the near post. England continued to apply the pressure, and a few minutes after Mount’s effort – Harry Maguire hit the crossbar from a corner in the 30th minute.
Eventually, Iran folded under the heavy English pressure and conceded the first goal, when a Luke Shaw cross from the left wing was headed into the top corner by Jude Bellingham.
Luke Shaw was again involved in the second goal, as his corner was headed down by Harry Maguire for Bukayo Saka to strike a beautiful left footed volley into the roof of the net.
The fourth official indicated 14 minutes of added time, but England only needed one minute of the allotted period to score their third. A beautiful low cross by Harry Kane found Raheem Sterling unmarked in the box to steer a volley into the bottom right corner to send England into a 3-0 lead before half time.
In the second half, England continued where they left off. In the 62nd minute, Bukayo Saka cut inside from the right wing, and slotted home a left footed shot to give England a 4-0 lead. Mehdi Taremi pulled one back for Iran 2 minutes later as he rocketed a shot past Jordan Pickford, but England were unfazed.
After Gareth Southgate made four substitutions, Marcus Rashford scored with his first touch on the ball, as the left side of Iran’s defense was again exposed by a cut inside and a calm finish. Shortly before the end of normal time, England’s substitutes combined again as a Callum Wilson cut back allowed Jack Grealish to slot the ball in from close range.
With the game all but over, a shirt pull in the box saw Iran awarded a penalty in the 13th minute of added time, which was slotted in by Taremi for his and Iran’s second goal of the game.
Final score: England 6 – 2 Iran.