No longer are Dragons fans stood on the outside looking in, their team are part of the biggest show on earth and Gareth Bale has the opportunity which has eluded him throughout his glittering career. One thing is sure, there will be no anthem sung with more passion and feeling at this tournament than when Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau plays before the game Yet Rob Page insists his team are not just in Qatar to make up the numbers. The squad may be getting on a bit but there is genuine hope they can make it through Group B and into the knock-out stages.
His defending was composed, his passing through the lines was outstanding and in the final third of the pitch – in what was a terrific England performance – he was causing absolute chaos. And then moments after Mehdi Tarebi pulled one goal back for 4-1 in the 65th minute, with fingers pointing at Maguire, the defender was being checked by a medic for concussion. Soon after, a bewildered-looking and totally pi**ed off Maguire was trudging off the pitch. His afternoon was done and England brought on Eric Dier as the replacement.
Outstanding Jude Bellingham got the opener, Bukayo Saka got two, Raheem Sterling scored a brilliant first-half goal, Rashford netted almost immediately after coming off the bench before Callum Wilson unselfishly assisted Grealish. It allowed the 27-year-old to score his World Cup goal - and celebrate with his influencer girlfriend after the game. Harry's finally his old self VERDICT: When Harry Maguire thought his season could not get any more frustrating, writes CHARLIE WYETT. The England defender, after an absolutely wretched season with Manchester United, looked back to his old self at the Khalifa International Stadium today.
Gareth Southgate’s men ran out 6-2 winners against a poor Iranian side who offered little across the 114 minutes of play. While most didn’t see that performance or scoreline coming, two William Hill customers backed 6-2 at the huge odds. Both sticking £10 on, one joyous punter would have been over the moon to see Iran score a late penalty as the clock ticked over 100 minutes to finish that result.
And former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas reckons the 21-year-old's bold attacking will be a nightmare for whoever he faces. "It’s a horrible prospect for any defender to have to deal with. ” Heaven 'n Bell Jude Bellingham produced a marvellous display as England began their World Cup campaign in style, writes TONY ROBERTSON.
The Gunners' star has been brilliant this season as he ahs helped his side to the top of the Premier League table. And his club fans were happy to see him representing them in Qatar. One said: "This just makes me love him more! " Another tweeted: "Saka is wearing Arsenal shin pads for today's game. Tears in my eyes.
For poor old Harry, you really could not make it up. This one blip, though, should take nothing anyway from an utterly brilliant England performance. Officially, Maguire did not go off with a concussion meaning he could play against the United States on Friday. READ OUR FULL VERDICT ON MAGUIRE 24 mins stoppage time explained ENGLAND fans might have been left confused by the record-breaking 24 MINUTES of stoppage time in the Three Lions’ 6-2 mauling of Iran, writes MARTIN LIPTON. But Brazilian referee Raphael Claus was following Fifa instructions to the letter as the era of the 100-plus minute match began in earnest. SunSport revealed last month that football’s Law-makers on the International FA Board had demanded a clampdown on time-wasting, starting in Qatar.
The former Birmingham star's movement and willingness to get on the ball are proven by his heat map and touch map. Possession was won nine times by Bellingham throughout the game - the most of anyone on the pitch - while he also won seven duels. Bellingham seemed to relish the challenge against the Iranian midfield.
As a squad, our focus was on the game today and I think we showed we’re a really good team and have full focus on what we need to do. ” Asked if he is angry with FIFA, Kane said: “I’m not going to say words to get headlines. I said I was disappointed, I wasn’t able to wear it but that’s it. ” Drag-ged back to the glory days USA VS WALES: After 64 years, the moment has finally arrived, writes MARTIN BLACKBURN. Wales take their place in the World Cup finals for the first time since 1958 and the excitement has been building ever since they edged past Ukraine in the play-off final back in June.
” 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.
England 6-2 Iran LIVE! World Cup 2022 - Yahoo Sport UK
" A third added: "Bukayo Saka wearing his Arsenal shin pads on his England WC debut. Immensely proud. " Maguire subbed 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.
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"But we shouldn’t be conceding two goals at that stage and we’ll have to be right on our game against the (United) States. It’s a great start but we’re going to have to be better. " "Our attacking players look a threat, our defence in the first hour controlled the game and were patient. The midfield were excellent and our forwards looked a threat...
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And Southgate admits Maguire had warned the England bench about his problem shortly before the goal went in. Jack tops off England's sixy performance Topless Jack Grealish led England's World Cup celebrations as he jumped into the stands to savour the moment with his girlfriend. The Manchester City midfielder got the final goal in a 6-2 drubbing of Iran and was pictured with partner Sasha Attwood after the game. She and the other Wags of England stars descended on the Khalifa International Stadium to watch the Three Lions tear apart their opening World Cup opponents. The footballers' wives and girlfriends had to leave their luxury £1billion cruise ship to get to the ground - and they will be very impressed with what they saw.
Full highlights and analysis from England's rout of Iran in 2022
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. Where did it all go wrong, Tyrone? Tyrone Mings has had to settle for Barbados beaches with girlfriend Frankee Connolly after his England snub. The Aston Villa centre-back started the Three Lions' first two games at Euro 2020 but didn't make the plane for Qatar. But instead of making waves he headed for the coast in the West Indies - on another trip that most fans can only dream of. Bukayo hailed as a 'horrible prospect' Bukayo Saka's scintillating two-goals show against Iran has been hailed as a "horrible prospect" for the rest of England's World Cup opponents.
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