ENGLAND couldn’t have had a better opener to their 2022 World Cup campaign after hammering Iran 6-2 at the Khalifa International Stadium.Sublime first half finishes from Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling and Bukayo Saka saw the Three Lions race into an emphatic lead.
Saka, 21, then coolly doubled his tally before Marcus Rashford scored within his first THREE touches.
And Jack Grealish rounded off the scoring to give Gareth Southgate’s side a dream start in Qatar.
Meanwhile Wales pulled off a late comeback to secure a point in their opening game after a Gareth Bale penalty cancelled out Timothy Weah’s opener.
Elsewhere Cristiano Ronaldo has finally broken his silence for the first time since his earth-shattering interview with Piers Morgan.
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‘Leave England players out of politics’
Harry Kane’s efforts to wear a One Love rainbow armband upset Fifa – and a former England star was also none too pleased.
Ex-Liverpool defender Glen Johnson reckons World Cup players should avoid “politics” and, in any case, such decisions should be made by the whole team.
Kane’s plan was eventually scuppered by Fifa warning they could dish out bookings and not just fines.
And Johnson told Genting Casino: “Leave the politics to everyone else.
“The players want to just go to the World Cup and play, they’re there to play football and it’s their job. They need to leave these decisions to other people.
“If I was captain I would have spoken to the team and decided what the team wanted. In this World Cup, the only thing important to the players is to perform which sounds selfish.
“If I was wearing the armband and I was going to upset some of my teammates, then I would not do it, but I would have a chat with my teammates.
” If you don’t wear the armband, it does not mean you don’t support what the armband means, but Harry Kane would have got abused either way. You have to do what’s right for your team.”
‘Once again it’s all about Bale’
Wales boss Rob Page never doubted Gareth Bale as the skipper rammed a penalty equaliser against USA.
Page told ITV “once against it’s all about Bale” and asked if the legend was certain to take the spot-kick he said: “A million per cent. He’s never let us down.”
Bale himself said: “Yeah, [it was] always [going to be] me. No doubts in my head. I feel like I have to step up and I’m happy to do so.”
‘Bellingham dominated’
Praise for Jude Bellingham’s imperious display in England’s 6-2 win over Iran keeps pouring in.
Former Three Lions defender Glen Johnson told Genting Casino: “It’s Bellingham’s first big game in the World Cup, Iran was not the toughest opponent but he dominated while being super young.
“It’s great for him to score a goal in his first major game, he looked really good.”
Wenger’s French fancy
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger reckons France are favourites for the World Cup – ahead of Brazil and Argentina.
The Premier League legend is backing his home nation men because of the way their backline is as good collectively as it seems individually – helped by an outstandign array of central defenders.
Wenger told wettbasis.com: “My number one favourite is France.
Not because I’m French by birth, but because this Equipe Tricolore has the best offence.
“If Didier Deschamps manages to ensure the necessary stability on the defensive, then the reigning world champion will have a good chance of successfully defending his title.”
“In the past 12-15 months, the Brazilian national team has made the best impression. A very experienced side with a leader like Neymar who has been in fantastic shape for the last six months.”
“Argentina will certainly also be a factor to be reckoned with. Lionel Messi will do everything to break this curse and finally become world champion.”
‘Jude’s got everything’
Roy Keane gushed over Jude Bellingham after his sensational performance in England’s 6-2 win over Iran at the World Cup.
The 19-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder produced a breathtaking display for the Three Lions in their opening game in Qatar. He pulled the strings throughout the match and even helped himself to the first goal with an expertly guided header.
And Keane, who was one of the best midfielders of his own generation, is blown away by Bellingham’s talent.
When asked on ITV4 how good the teenager could end up becoming, he said: “Absolutely amazing. I think he’s brilliant now, absolutely brilliant.
“He’s made a point there about adding more goals to his game at international level – he does score at club level.
“He plays with a maturity, he’s got everything you want in a midfielder in the middle of the park in terms of his physique, his maturity, his decision-making, his skill.
“This finish here [his goal against Iran] is fantastic. You remember all the brilliant England midfielders over the years – people like Bryan Robson, Scholesy, Lampard, Gerrard – if you can add that to your game, that final bit of having goals… as I said he’s a brilliant player anyway.
“His interviews afterwards, he comes across as very, very mature. The kid’s got everything.”
Ron tickled by his own Pepe show
Cristiano Ronaldo was left in hysterics ahead of Portugal’s World Cup opener against Ghana.
That’s after drawing a less-than-flattering picture of teammate Pepe.
Portugal kick off their group stage campaign on Thursday, with games to follow against Uruguay and South Korea.
Ronaldo’s explosive interview with Piers Morgan has been the talk of the town leading up to the tournament.
But the Manchester United misfit, 37, is showing no signs of pressure as he looks to lead his country to further glory.
And in what was presumably a team-building exercise, Ronaldo revealed he’s not the greatest artist around by drawing a picture of veteran defender Pepe.
The pair are close friends, having played together for many years with Portugal and Real Madrid. But Pepe, 39, failed to see the funny side when Ronaldo revealed an unflattering sketch of the defender.
Ronnie was fit to burst as he howled with laughter while showing the camera the shocking drawing. But Pepe looked utterly confused as he tried to comprehend the A4 monstrosity.
Ferdinand raves about Taremi
Rio Ferdinand hailed two-goal Iran striker Mehdi Taremi – who has been linked with Arsenal.
The Porto star, 30, looked lively despite England’s 6-2 win.
And Manchester United legend Ferdinand told the BBC: “This guy knows how to score goals.
“He’s a bit of hybrid between a nine and a ten,” Ferdinand told BBC Sport.
“He’s happy to come short or run through. He’s a really good player.
“This is what I mean, if they get on the counter and in transition and chances do fall to this guy, we will have to be worried.”
Hero Saka still not over Euro 2020 final
Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford gained England redemption to inspire the World Cup thrashing of Iran.
The Three Lions pair suffered racial abuse after missing penalties in last summer’s Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy.
Credit: AP
But Saka, 21, bagged a double and sub Rashford scored seconds after coming off the bench to bury their Wembley agony.
Arsenal star Saka said: “The miss is a moment that will be with me forever. I’m so blessed and so grateful to feel that love from everyone around me. Not only with Gareth and all the team with England.
“Also at Arsenal, and my friends and my family, who put their arm around me, and the love of my team-mates as well who supported me and helped me get back into a good place.
“It gives me a lot of confidence and belief in myself to go again.
Credit: AP
“So every time I have the chance to pull on an England shirt I give 110 per cent and do my best to make the nation proud.
“I can’t describe the feeling. I am so happy and so proud. We got the win as well, so it is a really special day.”
Why Harry didn’t get a penalty
England’s World Cup campaign got off to a flying start but a controversial late penalty cut their victory over Iran to 6-2, writes ANTHONY CHAPMAN.
John Stones was penalised by VAR in the dying moments, allowing Iran to pull back a consolation goal to soften the scoreline. However, video replays suggested there wasn’t much contact at all between Stones and his opponent.
And England fans were left fuming as Harry Maguire failed to win a “stonewall” penalty after a foul by Iran earlier on.
But ESPN claims there is a reason Stones’ tug resulted in a spot-kick, while the foul on Maguire was overlooked.
It’s reckoned that VAR were mainly concerned about whether the attacking player in each incident was able to challenge for the ball.
In Stones’ case, his tug on Morteza Pouraliganji prevented the Iranian from being able to attack the ball sufficiently. Despite only being a minor infringement on replays, the ball was said to be in close proximity to Iran’s attacker.
And referee Raphael Claus eventually agreed with VAR that Stones had stopped Pouraliganji from attacking freely.
In Maguire’s case, despite the foul appearing more obvious, this was deemed the opposite case. Despite being wrestled to the floor by Roozbeh Cheshmi, it’s said the ball was NOT in close proximity to Maguire.
That means he was not in a position to properly compete for it as an attacker. And VAR also took into account the fact that Maguire’s arm was also wrapped around Cheshmi as he went down.
Rashford is England’s best sub
Phil Foden and Jack Grealish should be behind Marcus Rashford in England’s pecking order of subs.
That’s the claim of ex-Liverpool and Chelsea star Glen Johnson after all three came on in today’s 6-2 won over Iran, with Manchester United attacker Rashford scoring instantly.
Johnson told Genting Casino: “It would be harsh for Rashford to start in front of the lads who scored the first four goals, you don’t want to change the team when you’re winning.
“Rashford is an incredible player and for someone like him to come off the bench and have that impact is exactly what you need to get to the final in these tournaments.
“He’ll have more confidence and I’d be surprised if he is not the first striker off the bench next time.
“Overall, I’d want Rashford to come off the bench first out of the attackers, but it will depend on who we play against.
If it’s a top team, you might pick Grealish who can do something a bit deeper in the park. If Rashford is up against good, quick defenders, he won’t be as effective as he was against Iran.”
Maguire still a worry against top teams
Former England right-back Glen Johnson praised Harry Maguire’s display against Iran but still reckons the centre-back could be a liability against better opposition.
Maguire overcame his troubled season with Manchester United to look confident and solid.
But Three Lions’ boss Gareth Southgate was upset at conceding twice in an otherwise-outstanding 6-2 win.
And Johnson told Genting Casino: “Maguire was decent against Iran, nearly scored as well, but he’s under a lot of pressure.
“Games change form, I’m sure he’d be happy with how he performed, hopefully, he can carry the momentum in the next game, have a good tournament with England and then you never know what happens when he goes back to Man United.
“I was not worried about Maguire in a back four today as it’s the weakest game in the group, but I’ll be worried when we play one of the big nations or top teams.
“Then it will be interesting to see what Gareth Southgate does.”
‘Saka is the like Robben’
Two-goal England hero Bukayo Saka has been compared to Dutch wing legend Arjen Robben.
Man-of-the-match Saka led a 6-2 thrashing of Iran in the Three Lions’ impressive World Cup opener,
And ex-England defender Glen Johnson told Genting Casino: “Saka is up there, but you can’t say you’re one of the world’s best if you haven’t done it in and around the biggest and best tournaments.
“Of course, he’s a fantastic player and showed against Iran what he can do, but let’s not get carried away because it’s the easiest game in the tournament.
If Saka keeps performing the way he is and does this throughout the whole tournament, it definitely puts him in that category.
Saka reminds me of Arjen Robben, seriously left footed, but that’s not a bad thing because his left is that good.
“Saka is his own player too, he works hard, he’s quick and a serious goal threat, I like him a lot.”
Roy’s a laugh
Manchester United legend Roy Keane left fellow ITV pundits laughing with his brutal assessment of Iran after England’s 6-2 win.
Bukayo Saka led the way with two goals as Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jude Bellingham and Jack Grealish also netted.
Man Utd legend Roy Keane leaves ITV pundits laughing
And Iran were all-but hopeless as two-goal Mehdi Taremi softened the scoreline with a controversial penalty in the 13th minute of injury time.
Keane reckons Iran are going to find things a lot tougher against Gareth Bale and Wales.
And the Irishman had his TVa colleagues in stitches when giving his match verdict.
After hailing Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions, Keane produced a withering look and said: “But Iran… shocking.”
Keane appeared to be so disgusted with Iran’s performance that pundits Eni Aluko and Hal Robson-Kanu burst out laughing.
Richarlison defends ‘arrogant’ Neymar
Neymar has been labelled “arrogant” for altering his Brazil kit ahead of the World Cup, writes DYLAN TERRY.
The South Americans are seeking to win the competition for a record-extending sixth time in Qatar.
They currently have five World Cup wins to their name, meaning they also have five stars on their kit.
But Neymar has shared a picture of his kit for the 2022 tournament… with SIX stars on show.
The Paris Saint-Germain forward was subsequently labelled “arrogant” by German outlet BILD.
It was a critique his Brazilian team-mate Richarlison was having none of.
And the Tottenham forward quickly hit back with an aggressive reply.
He bluntly responded: “They are arrogant. We’re just dreamers.
“We are dreaming of this sixth star and we will pick it up, whether they like it or not. That reporter is an a**hole.”
Maguire went off due to illness
Gareth Southgate has revealed Harry Maguire was subbed off during England’s win over Iran due to illness.
The Manchester United star lasted just 70 minutes as the Three Lions kicked off their World Cup campaign with an impressive 6-2 victory.
Maguire looked to be in discomfort as he was helped off the pitch by two England medics.
And speaking after the game, Southgate said his star centre-back was struggling due to illness.
The incident occurred moments after Mehdi Taremi fired home the first of his two goals for Iran on 65 minutes.
And Southgate admits Maguire had warned the England bench about his problem shortly before the goal went in.
Reporter ‘detained for rainbow T-shirt’
An American reporter was detained and refused entry into a World Cup stadium in Qatar on Monday.
Grant Wahl was attempting to head into the Al Rayyan Stadium for USA’s opening game of the tournament against Wales. But he was not allowed into the venue because he was wearing a rainbow shirt.
Tournament hosts Qatar have been slammed for their human rights abuses and treatment of the LGBTQ+ community. Being gay is is punishable by a prison sentence in the country.
And Wahl was refused entry and detained simply because he wore the pro-LGBTQ+ colours on his shirt.
He posted: “Just now: Security guard refusing to let me into the stadium for USA-Wales. You have to change your shirt. It’s not allowed.”
New York Times reporter, Andrew Das, was walking past and also ended up being briefly detained.
Wahl alleged staff “forcibly ripped” his phone from his hands after he sent his initial tweet. they justified their decision to not let him in by insisting his shirt was “political”.
Just under an hour later he then gave an update on his situation, confirming he had eventually been allowed into the stadium.
He reported: “I’m OK, but that was an unnecessary ordeal. Am in the media center, still wearing my shirt. Was detained for nearly half an hour. Go gays.” A security commander arrived to release Wahl before a Fifa official apologised for the incident.
‘Once again it’s all about Bale’
Wales boss Rob Page never doubted Gareth Bale as the skipper rammed a penalty equaliser against USA.
Page told ITV “once against it’s all about Bale” and asked if the legend was certain to take the spot-kick he said: “A million per cent. He’s never let us down.”
Bale himself said: “Yeah, [it was] always [going to be] me. No doubts in my head. I feel like I have to step up and I’m happy to do so.”
Just doesn’t figure…
There was more controversy over crowds figures when Fifa gave the attendance for Wales’ 1-1 draw with the USA as 43,418.
Not that huge for a World Cup tie, perhaps – but the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium capacity is listed as 40,000.
Why Prem giants all want Jude
Jurgen Klopp is telling friends in football that he expects Jude Bellingham to one day become the best midfielder in the world, writes CHARLIE WYETT.
After this brilliant performance — on his first start in a major finals — the outrageously-talented teenager from Birmingham proved his ride to the top could be a lot quicker than anyone expected.
In a remarkable show from England, in an air-conditioned stadium, Bellingham was on fire. No wonder everyone wants to prise him away from Borussia Dortmund next summer, with Real Madrid favourites.
Bellingham announced himself on the world stage with a near-perfect performance. The 19-year-old illustrated he is Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes all rolled into one sensational package.
And on his 18th England appearance, two years after his debut against Ireland, Bellingham scored that first international goal, heading an unstoppable opener in England’s 6-2 win over Iran.
Afterwards, a beaming Bellingham said: “I thought I had missed. It took ages to loop into the goal. It was a great ball from Shawy and I was there to flick it away. It is a proud moment for me.”
At Dortmund during pre-season, Bellingham had been urged by the management team to become more involved in the final third – and has since struck nine times.
But apart from his headed heroics he covered the pitch effortlessly, pressed high, won tackles and also played some killer passes, such as the ball to Harry Kane who crossed for Raheem Sterling to make it 3-0.
USA sub ratings
BRENDEN AARONSON (MCKENNIE, 66) – 6
Somehow missed a free header from a floated Pulisic cross six minutes after entering the field.
HAJI WRIGHT (SARGENT, 74), DEANDRE YEDLIN (DEST, 74), KELLYN ACOSTA (MUSAH, 74) – N/A, JORDAN MORRIS (WEAH, 87)
All four subs had little time to make a lasting impact, especially as Wales were dominating possession and pushing forward towards the end.
Rest of the USA starting XI ratings
TIM WEAH – 8
Almost forced Joe Rodon into an own goal after finding some space down the right, yet made no mistake one-on-one with Wayne Hennessey just before the break.
JOSH SARGENT – 7
Missed glorious chance with header at near post inside 10 minutes, and did a lot of the donkey work that will perhaps go unrecognised leading the line.
USA ratings continued
WESTON MCKENNIE – 6
Another player to get cautioned with a silly challenge that left him stepping on eggshells, but showed maturity to stay composed come through that.
TYLER ADAMS – 7
The youngest captain for USA’s men at a World Cup, he led by his actions, covering every blade of grass across and dictating the tempo.
CHRISTIAN PULISIC – 7
Everything good about the States came down the left through the Chelsea winger, darting around Welsh defenders before teeing up Tim Weah for the opener.
More USA ratings
TIM REAM – 7
Despite his tender years and 14-month absence from international action, he looked right back at home. Not that the Fulham defender was tested much by the Welsh forwards.
ANTONEE ROBINSON – 7
Flew up and down the left wing at will, causing Wales’ back five all sorts of issues, and was a nuisance in the tackle all night long.
YUNUS MUSAH – 8
Played well beyond his 19 years in a midfield three, driving forward with composure. Wales could have done with someone like him in their ranks.
USA ratings vs Wales
MATT TURNER – 6
Could have gone and stood in the desert for the first 45 minutes and still not had a shot fired at him, let alone ripple his net. Had no chance with the penalty, however.
SERGINO DEST – 6
Picked up an unnecessary yellow card early on for a lunge on Neco Williams, but went on to play his part in an impressive defensive display, especially under pressure in the final stages.
WALKER ZIMMERMAN – 4
Was having one of the more comfortable nights of his international career, only to give away a clumsy penalty on Gareth Bale. Ultimately cost USA the win.
Wales sub ratings
SUBS
KIEFFER MOORE (WILSON, 45) – 7
Instantly made the intended impact, holding up the ball and bringing his teammates into play, finally giving Tim Ream something to think about.
Almost flicked a near post header in from a corner only to clear the bar.
BRENNAN JOHNSON (N WILLIAMS, 79) – N/A
Came on with little time to impress, but surely gets a run-out against Iran after going close from a tight angle with minutes left.
SORBA THOMAS (WILSON, 90) – N/A
JOE MORRELL (AMPADU, 90) – N/A
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