KEIR RADNEDGE in DOHA: England, hungry for a win after six blanks, opened their World Cup campaign against Iran by storming to a 6-2 victory in Group B in the Khalifa International Stadium.

Three first-half goals in 15 minutes from the outstanding Jude Bellingham plus Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling was a perfect resumption of normal service after a results sequence which had seen them relegated from the top group of the UEFA Nations League.

In the second half Saka again and substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish outpaced two Italian goals for Iran’s Mehdi Taremi, one from a last-kick penalty.

England manager Gareth Southgate had come under heavy pressure this summer for the first time in his six years in charge and knew well that opening matches are always delicate for England. In 2018 they beat Tunisia with only a stoppage-time set-piece goal from Harry Kane; at last year’s Euro they struggled to beat Croatia 1-0. Each time they progressed to the decisive closing stages.

Southgate, who set aside his preference for a three-man back line and went orthodox with four, would have been happy with such a repeat, never mind such a decisive display which sent a warning shot across the bows of all the other major World Cup contenders. England were sharp, quick on the ball, composed and, ultimately, deadly.

Of course politics played their part in the preliminaries. England, having been forced to concede the armband issue, took the knee before kickoff while Iran’s players, troubled by escalating violence back home, did not sing their national anthem. Whether their fans were whistling them or the anthem was not clear.

All the formalities over, so to the football and England immediately claiming a penalty in vain after Rouzbeh Cheshmi dragged down Harry Maguire, pursuing a corner. Brazilian referee Raphael Claus ignored the fuss.

When play was halted it was for treatment to keeper Alireza Beyranvand and defender Hosseini who head-butted each other in trying to clear a right-wing cross.

Beyranvand needed extensive treatment on the pitch then bravely – or foolishly – tried to play on before collapsing. He was carried off on a stretcher and belatedly substituted. Since his replacement was deemed as due to suspected concussion this meant Iran still had their full option of five subs.

Once again the World Cup had highlighted football’s inadequate approach to concussion. Beyranvand should have been submitted immediately to an independent assessment and replaced.

England, unfazed, continued to pour on the pressure. Maguire planted a Kieran Trippier corner against the bar before Bellingham headed them in front from Luke Shaw’s left-wing cross in the 35th minute. Eight more minutes and Saka thumped home No2 after Maguire nodded down a left-wing corner.

Iran’s players protested in vain that Maguire had ‘leaned in’ on their defender but, if so, it was simply payback for the penalty they should have conceded in the opening minutes.

England rammed home their command in the first of the 15 minutes of stoppage time when Bellingham won possession in midfield, setting Kane free on the right to cross for Sterling to strike a third goal.

Sterling then provided the assist which allowed to Saka to walk across in front of the mesmerised Iranian defence and score England’s fourth and his own second just after the hour.

Iran responded immediately with a first goal of their own from Mehdi Taremi before England rang the changes by introducing four substitutes. Immediately one of them, Marcus Rashford, ran away free on the right to make it 5-1.

There still remaining time for Jack Grealish to score with a substitute’s flourish and Taremi strike a second for Iran from a last-kick penalty awarded for pushing in the goalmouth.

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