Saka and Bellingham shine in England's all-action win
A few words to analyse England convincing win over Iran
Sooo…that was a really encouraging performance from England, wasn’t it? Not so much from Iran, the second Asian team to play in this World Cup and the second that seems well below the expectations, a defensive side unable to defend well.
For once, England’s starting eleven looked as well on paper as it did on the field even though it wasn’t so different from what we saw at the Euros. Just two changes from the team that played the final against Italy: Bellingham as an interior in the three-man midfield and Saka on the right wing were the two major variations from Southgate.
Ball-playing centre-backs Stones and Maguire enjoyed the start of the game, with Iran giving England the chance to manipulate the ball, but struggled to connect with those up front because of the well organized press from the Asian side which denied England any space to progress the ball to the central channel.
To counter this, England went back in time and returned to the back three when in possession with one midfielder filling in to make the distance too long for Karimi and Nourollahi to press. Now, the distances were far too big for the Iran’s midfiled pair to follow Rice or Bellingham as they dropped deeper to collect the ball. Checkmate. Game was over. England overcame the man-to-man press in midfield and was able to push Iran into his own area.
A few things to look at in the first goal sequence. Bellingham high position allows Mount to drop and collect, with Sterling as an inside-left forward who drifts from the wing to the central areas. Great ball also from Harry Maguire.
Iran’s compact, central-space focused shape allows Shaw to receive with time and space to pick where to cross.
Shaw picks Bellingham, whose high position allows him to attack the space between the penalty spot and the six-yard box unmarked. Free header, free goal.
However poor Iran’s performance may have been, England showed determination in the final third. As of here, Saka receives wide, with Bellingham and Trippier close and also Sterling appearing.
Quick pass from Trippier to Sterling allows Saka to get in behind. As the Arsenal man drives forward, Mount goes from the back to the front of the defender and gets a shot at the near post. It goes wide but the interplay showed quality, determination and good reading of the game.
England’s right side was so dominating during the game. Basically, all the danger created by the Three Lions came from the right. It was Saka first, then Rashford, who looked bright when he entered the game.
England generated 3.16 xGOT (expected goals on target) from 2.14 xG. They really added value to their shot actions. But were also dangerous from set-pieces, as the second goal shows. Southgate, who was willing to go all attack today, should be pleased to see his team is scoring from a wide variety of situations. When the match was close: a possession-based goal, a set piece goal and a counter-attacking goal. Then, spaces appeared and the match was done and dusted.
If they can get through the knockout phase, England will surely face tougher opposition. They will have to sit back and wait, but also be more cautious when attacking. However, starting the tournament with a victory as impressive as today's will make many fans happy. And also give confidence to the players, some of whom were not having the best time of their lives.