sport news CHRIS SUTTON'S ENGLAND MATCH RATINGS: Bukayo Saka justified Gareth Southgate's ... trends now
There was plenty to be left impressed by as England got their World Cup campaign underway with a thumping 6-2 victory over Iran.
Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish all netted in what was a near-perfect opening display by Gareth Southgate's side.
Sportsmail's CHRIS SUTTON rules the roost as he gives his verdict on how England players performed at the Khalifa International Stadium in Qatar.
There were some top performances all around as England cruised to win against Iran
ENGLAND (4-3-3)
Jordan Pickford - 6/10
Iran scored from two of their three shots on target, but Pickford's finger-tipped save to deny Sardar Azmoun bagging them a third goal was brilliant.. England's undisputed first-choice goalkeeper left disappointed to not have a clean sheet. It happens!
Saves - 1
Passes completed - 28
Iran scored two out of three shots on target though Jordan Pickford did produce a top save
Kieran Trippier - 7.5/10
Trippier's balls into the box were deadly, one cross leading to a Maguire header against the crossbar. Newcastle's right back is reliable down that flank and with no Reece James, this set-piece specialist showed why he's a sure starter for England.
Passes completed - 88
Tackles - 5
Blocks - 0
John Stones - 7/10
While there's been the debate over whether Maguire should be at this World Cup, let alone starting, there is no doubting Stones. He was on cruise control for most of this match - the only disappointment being VAR's harsh penalty awarded against him.
Passes completed - 117
Tackles - 0
Blocks - 0
John Stones (right) was in cruise control but will be disappointed to give away a harsh penalty
Harry Maguire - 7/10
Caught out by Mehdi Taremi's run for Iran's opener but overall, Maguire put in a good performance amid the pressure on him. Opponents are petrified of him at set pieces and his cushioned header for Saka's first goal was as legal as it was smart.
Passes completed - 74
Tackles - 1
Blocks - 0
Harry Maguire frightened Iran at set pieces and put in a good performance for England
Luke Shaw - 7.5/10
Lovely left-footed cross for Bellingham to open the scoring and start the party for England after 35 minutes. Dealt well with Iran's roughhousing and his high and wide runs down that flank meant Sterling could come inside closer to Kane.
Passes completed - 104
Tackles - 0
Blocks - 0
Jude Bellingham - 8.5/10
Last week I named Bellingham as the player I was most looking forward to watching at this World Cup. We all saw why against Iran. England's 19-year-old headed home the opener and it's hard not to get excited about this starlet's future.
Passes completed - 96
Tackles - 3
Shots - 1
Jude Bellingham headed home the opener and it's hard not to get excited about his future
Mason Mount - 8/10
One of Southgate's favourites. James Maddison is still pushing for a start but Mount put in a nice all-round performance. Chelsea's inventive midfielder was tidy in his passing and tireless in his pursuit of the ball in this comfortable opener.
Passes completed - 36
Tackles - 1
Shots - 1
Declan Rice - 8/10
West Ham's captain helped maintain control in midfield. On the rare occasions England lost the ball, he was there to sweep up and win it back. Forever in the right place at the right time and showed why he's a must-start.
Passes completed - 95
Tackles - 1
Shots - 0
Bukayo Saka - 9/10
Man of the match who justified Southgate's decision to start him on the right wing over his competition. Iran couldn't live with Saka, the Arsenal starlet whose two clinical finishes on his World Cup debut made sure this match was England's.
Passes completed - 28
Shots - 3
Dribbles - 1
Bukayo Saka justified his selection in the starting eleven by scoring a brace against Iran
