Harry Maguire silenced his England critics as Gareth Southgate's Three Lions started their World Cup campaign with a 6-2 win over Iran. Previously a regular for both club and country, Erik ten Hag's appointment as Manchester United manager in the summer resulted in the centre-back losing his place in the team.
Now behind summer addition Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane in the pecking order, Maguire's spot in the England squad has been a big talking point over the past few months due to his lack of minutes. Handed a huge show of faith from Southgate in England's Nations League games in September, the 29-year-old was in the headlines after a poor showing at the back in the 3-3 draw with Germany.
Part of a back three including John Stones and Tottenham man Eric Dier, the latter's recall to the squad for the first time in 16 months appeared that it could be bad news for Maguire in regards to the starting XI. Despite coming into the tournament with only three Premier League starts to his name, the ex-Sheffield United man was named in the side for their World Cup opener against Iran.
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Always a dependable player in Southgate's system and someone who had not let him down in the past two tournaments as England went far, Maguire rediscovered his previous form in their first Group B game. Involved early on as the Three Lions were denied a penalty as both he and Stones were wrestled to the ground, he then crashed a brilliant header off the crossbar from Kieran Trippier's pinpoint corner kick.
A real danger at every England set piece, as was the case at the 2018 World Cup and Euro 2020, the centre-back got an assist to his name in the 43rd minute as he nodded Luke Shaw's corner down for Bukayo Saka to finish extremely well. It wasn't just in the final third where Maguire impressed throughout as he also caught the eye with his progressive passing, whether that be short balls or precise long passes over the top.
While he may not have had much to do defensively with Iran not laying a glove on their opponents in the opening hour, Maguire's performance overall was very good and extremely encouraging ahead of two tougher games coming up. Perhaps bad news for Dier with his fellow defender taking his opportunity with both hands, the Tottenham man was introduced in the final 20 minutes when Maguire went to ground and was treated for concussion.
Maybe not tested at the back as was the case for Maguire and Co prior to Medhi Taremi's goal, Dier's introduction did highlight his place in the defensive pecking order as he came on ahead of the likes of Conor Coady and Ben White. All the ex-Sporting CP defender can do now is patiently wait and then take his opportunity if it comes his way again depending on the extent of Maguire's second-half exit.
There is a possibility Southgate could revert to three at the back against a better attacking team either in the group stage or later on in the tournament, although he may now think twice about that after his team scored for fun against their first Group B opponents.
A formation switch would perhaps not actually benefit Dier despite the introduction of an extra centre-back, though. Kyle Walker, who is now ahead of schedule after a groin injury in October, would more than likely be the player to come into the side and take his place on the right if that is to be the case.
Working so hard to win back his place in the England squad after previously admitting that he feared he wasn't going to be involved for his country anymore, Dier will have been extremely pleased to represent his country once again on the biggest stage of all. Now he faces a waiting game to see if Maguire is going to be in a position to start again on Friday against the United States after his injury scare.
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