{"id":1288257,"date":"2022-11-21T15:54:45","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T15:54:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?p=1288257"},"modified":"2022-11-23T14:49:12","modified_gmt":"2022-11-23T14:49:12","slug":"england-iran-player-ratings-saka-bellingham-sterling","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/england-iran-player-ratings-saka-bellingham-sterling\/","title":{"rendered":"“Bellingham is special” – Player ratings as England thrash Iran 6-2 in their World Cup opener"},"content":{"rendered":"

England got their 2022 World Cup campaign off to the perfect start with a 6-2 thumping of Iran in Doha.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goals from Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka (2), Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish ensured England recorded their biggest ever victory in their opening match at a major tournament. Mehdi Taremi scored two consolation goals for the away side, including a 112th minute penalty in a match that saw a staggering 28 minutes of added on time in total.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s how the players rated at the Khalifa International Stadium<\/span>:<\/p>\n

England<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jordan Pickford – 6 – <\/strong>Didn’t have a single thing to do until Mehdi Taremi fired one past him to take away his clean sheet, but did make an impressive save late on. Had no chance with the penalty.<\/p>\n

Kieran Trippier – 7-\u00a0 <\/strong>Impressive set-piece deliveries whilst also being defensively solid. Made a game high total of five tackles, at least two more than any other player, also winning eight of his nine duels.<\/p>\n

John Stones – 6 – <\/strong>Gave away a late penalty in what was was mostly a comfortable afternoon for the Man City man.<\/p>\n

Harry Maguire – 7 –<\/strong> Was a menace in the opposition box. Had England’s best chance of the first half as his header cannoned off the crossbar, dragged to the floor for a possible penalty and expertly headed it down for Bukayo Saka to fire in the second. Won 100% of his duels (5\/5) and didn’t put a foot wrong before being forced off half way through the second half.<\/p>\n

Luke Shaw – 7 –<\/strong> Fantastic cross for Jude Bellingham’s opener, constantly getting up and down the left-wing.<\/p>\n

Declan Rice – 6 – <\/strong>Kept the ball moving and recycled possession well. Kept it simple.<\/p>\n

Jude Bellingham – 9 – <\/strong>What an incredible World Cup debut for the 19-year old. Scored his first ever England goal with a perfect header\u00a0 and was heavily involved in the build up to third. Constantly driving forward at every opportunity and never stopped running throughout.<\/p>\n

Completed 100% of his take-ons, 97% of his 95 passes, won seven duels and made three tackles in a fantastic all round midfield display.<\/p>\n

He’s going to be special.<\/p>\n

\n

Bellingham is special.<\/p>\n

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 21, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n