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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Chris Beesley

England player ratings as Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka excellent against Iran

Jordan Pickford 7

The Everton goalkeeper started the move for third goal with a well-placed kick upfield to Kane and the only nervous moment had come when he dallied on the ball early in the second half before he was powerless to do anything about Mehdi Taremi’s shot that crashed in off the crossbar and was sent the wrong way for Iran's controversial stoppage time penalty.

Kieran Trippier 8

Played mostly in the opposition half and was a danger from set-pieces with his corner finding Maguire’s head for the effort that hit the crossbar.

John Stones 6

Manchester City’s former Everton man looked comfortable for long periods but was perhaps too comfortable when Iran netted their consolation goal at of nowhere as Taremi got between him and Maguire and then gave away a cheap stoppage time penalty after a VAR check.

READ MORE: Everton announcement surprises journalists working in Sydney as Celtic match took unexpected twist

READ MORE: 'Make it happen' - Jude Bellingham World Cup masterclass leaves Liverpool fans saying the same thing

Harry Maguire 8

Denied an early penalty after going down after a tussle with Rouzbeh Cheshmi but despite being much-maligned before the tournament, Iran’s defence just couldn’t handle him from set pieces as he headed against the crossbar before nodding down to Saka for England’s second goal but went off with suspected concussion immediately after Iran’s goal.

Luke Shaw 8

Got forward regularly and provided both a delicious cross for Bellingham’s goal as well as taking the corner that led to England’s second.

Jude Bellingham 9

Became only the second teenager to score for England at World Cup after Michael Owen when he directed a looping, perfectly-placed headed into the Iran net and put Gareth Southgate’s side on their way and his confidence visibly grew from that moment onwards to produce a measured display beyond his tender years.

Declan Rice 7

Gareth Southgate’s midfield metronome who kept things ticking over in the engine room as those in front of him picked off their opponents at will.

Bukayo Saka 9

England’s two-goal hero to exorcise the demons of his penalty shoot-out woes from the European Championship final last year, his first came from a dipping left-foot half volley after Maguire’s nod down while for his second he cut inside from right on left foot after being fed by Sterling.

Mason Mount 7

Wasted a big chance after Saka laid off low right wing cross, he looked dangerous throughout but did not possess the same kind of finishing power as some of those around him.

Raheem Sterling 8

Chelsea's former Liverpool man scored First World Cup goal with the kind of instinctive finish he excels with as he stabbed in from Kane’s cross before shaking off crude Iranian attempts to dispossess him and feed Saka for his second of the afternoon.

Harry Kane 7

The captain will probably be disappointed that he was on the field for five England goals but failed to find the net himself but his link-up play was sharp and he turned provider for Sterling’s first goal with a smart cross.

Eric Dier (on 70 for Maguire) 7

Solid replacement at the back in the latter stages after Maguire's injury.

Marcus Rashford (70 for Saka) 8

Super sub for Gareth Southgate as he found the net with an impressive individual effort, just after entering the fray as picking up the ball for the first time, he took three touches to score.

Phil Foden (on 70 for Mount) 7

England's supremacy enabled the youngster to get on for some valuable minutes.

Jack Grealish (on 70 for Sterling) 8

Celebrated with a dance after being presented with a tap-in for the sixth by fellow substitute Wilson.

Callum Wilson (on 76 for Kane) 8

Unselfishly squared to put a chance on a plate for Jack Grealish to complete the rout when played through on goal.

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