England & Netherlands Win, US/Wales Draw
[Written by Stephen Wright]
England 6
[Bellingham 35, Saka 43, 62, Sterling 45+1, Rashford 71, Grealish 90]
Iran 2
[Taremi 65, 90+3]
England enjoyed a goal-laden start to the Fifa World Cup after defeating Iran in their opening Group B game in Doha today.
Iran suffered an early setback when their goalkeeper AIireza Beiranvand went off with a concussion after a clash of heads with team-mate Majid Hosseini.
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for England with a towering header from Luke Shaw’s cross before Bukayo Saka’s fine strike and Raheem Sterling’s superb volley with the outside of his boot just before the break.
Saka scored his second on the hour-mark before Iran pulled one back through a fine finish from Medhi Taremi.
England substitute Marcus Rashford showed good composure to score England’s fifth before Jack Grealish scored from close range after excellent work by Callum Wilson.
Iran pulled a goal back in added time when Taremu scored a penalty after a John Stones foul.
Senegal 0
Netherlands 2
[Gakpo 84m Klassen 90+9)
Netherlands claimed a confident-boosting victory in their opener against Senegal in Group A.
Cody Gakpo, the PSV Eindhoven forward, headed the Dutch in front after a clever chipped pass from Barcelona schemer Frenkie de Jong.
Substitute Davy Klassen added a second deep into stoppage time, pouncing on a rebound after a shot from Memphis Depay.
United States 1
[Weah 36]
Wales 1
[Bale 82, pen]
Wales earned a hard-fought point against the United States in their opening Group B match thanks to a Gareth Bale equaliser from the penalty spot.
The United States deservedly took the lead through a neat finish from Tim Weah, son of legendary Liberia player George Weah.
Wales, playing their first World Cup game for 64 years, improved after the break and salvaged a vital point after Bale stepped up to convert from the spot after being fouled by Walker Zimmerman.
Tomorrow’s games
Group C
Argentina v Saudi Arabia, 6 am
Mexico v Poland, 12 pm
Group D
Denmark v Tunisia, 9 am
France v Australia, 3 pm
