Despite the Three Lions finishing the match 6 goals up to Iran’s 2, England boss Gareth Southgate admitted he was “fed up” with the way his boys finished the game.
Iran were gifted two soft goals in the second half, which soured a superb attacking performance.
Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka (twice), Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford all scored in a remarkable start to England’s World Cup campaign.
However, the occasion was dampened by two Mehdi Taremi goals.
Taremi was allowed to ghost in behind England’s back line with Southgate’s side leading 3-0. The forward fired his effort beyond goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
John Stones then conceded a penalty from which the 30-year-old Porto star made the score 6-2.
Southgate was frustrated by the way his side conceded the two goals, with far stronger opponents to come in Qatar.
🗣️ “We’re going to have to be better than we were today, in certain aspects of our game against the USA. Because they’re going to be coming for us full throttle.”
Gareth Southgate reacts to England’s 6-2 victory over Iran. pic.twitter.com/t1Tr5oT22f
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 21, 2022
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“I’m a bit fed up with the end of it really. To win by that margin and play as we did, we have to be happy,” Southgate told the BBC.
“The players prepared, they looked ready. We felt we wanted to be that type of team, they dealt with the game well.
“It was a sticky first-half, a lot of stoppages but we dealt with the threats, our passing, movement was very good.
“I’ve got to be happy but we shouldn’t be conceding two goals at that stage of the game and we’ll have to be right on our game against the States. It’s a great start but we’re going to have to be better.”
Gareth Southgate has now overseen nine England wins at major tournaments – more than any other manager in 🏴 history.#ENG | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/s88BQdA0tV
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 21, 2022
England face USA on Friday before meeting rivals Wales in eight days’ time.
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