If there were any actual doubts surrounding England entering the World Cup, England made a case to dispel them to the tune of a commanding 6–2 win over Iran in the Group B opener.
Amid protests in Iran and calls for the squad to be disqualified from the World Cup, Iran’s biggest statement on the pitch came before the opening whistle by refusing to sing the team’s national anthem in an apparent protest. But after kickoff, Team Melli was clearly out of their depth against a well-organized England team.
The Three Lions scored three goals on either side of halftime, led by two goals from Arsenal star Bukayo Saka and two assists from captain Harry Kane, in a game that featured 24 minutes of stoppage time due to a combinations of injuries and goals.
