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World Cup: Saka grabs two as England score six against Iran - reaction
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- RESULT: England 6-2 Iran - Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka (2), Raheem Sterling and substitute Marcus Rashford put England in control.
- Iran reduce deficit in second half before being awarded penalty by VAR
- Iran keeper Beiranvand taken off after head injury in first half
- England starting XI: Pickford, Trippier, Stones, Maguire, Shaw, Bellingham, Rice, Saka, Mount, Sterling, Kane
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Live Reporting
Phil Dawkes
All times stated are UK
'Fabulous to see Bellingham delivering at a World Cup'
FT: England 6-2 Iran
Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One
Bellingham was so confident and composed in the interview before. Exactly the same out on the pitch. The authority that he plays with on the pitch goes well beyond his years. He's a fabulous footballer but delivering at a World Cup like that at that age.
We talk about the great midfielders that we've played with and seen in England in our generation. None of them were doing what he's doing at this age, on this stage. I'm not saying he's better or going to be as good as all of them but at this age none of them were doing what he was doing and it's just fabulous to see.
'Bellingham is a throwback'
FT: England 6-2 Iran
Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One
Jude Bellingham is a throwback, he can really do it all. Bellingham is like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard rolled into one. He won the ball back so often today, England's best quality today was their counterpress and he was at the forefront of that.
Young guns
FT: England 6-2 Iran
Aged 21 years and 77 days, Bukayo Saka became the youngest player to score more than once in a single World Cup game for England.
Jude Bellingham (19y 145d) became England's second youngest goalscorer in World Cup history after Michael Owen in 1998 (18y 190d).
''We showed everyone how much quality we have'
FT: England 6-2 Iran
England
England forward Bukayo Saka, who scored twice, speaking on BBC One: "I can't describe the feeling, it is amazing. I am so happy and so proud. We got the win as well so it is a really special day.
"We needed that good start. We haven't played the best coming into the tournament. There was a lot of talk and speculation about our form but we showed everyone how much quality we have and what we can do.
"It is amazing to get the win under so much pressure. But we have to be consistent because we have the next game coming up in a few days and we have to win again.
"I feel in a good place. I feel the support and love from the fans, the coaching staff and my team-mates. That is all I need. I feel ready to give 100% and I will continue to do that every time I put the shirt on."
Post update
FT: England 6-2 Iran
Here is Jack Grealish's goal and the celebration that followed, fulfilling his promise to young fan Finlay...
Video content
'The substitutions brought on real energy and quality'
FT: England 6-2 Iran
Matt Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live
I thought the substituions brought on real energy and quality as well. Callum Wilson making some great runs in behind, Marcus Rashford the confidence to step inside and Phil Foden started to get on the ball and play those nifty passes in and around the box.
England looked like they could make that number of changes and really terrorise a team.
'Great start for England'
FT: England 6-2 Iran
Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
Great start from England in terms of attacking and that is where they have looked a bit bereft of ideas in recent games but they had so many options today.
'Incredible performance from Bellingham'
FT: England 6-2 Iran
Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC One
It's all about having a positive start, you know what it does for your confidence. The way they started the game and carried it on. Every time they went forward, they looked a threat. Every player played his part, it was a really impressive performance.
What a performance from the young man Bellingham. Incredible.
Post update
FT: England 6-2 Iran
Twenty-six added minutes in that game. We've basically played extra-time.
Post update
FT: England 6-2 Iran
With that second goal, Mehdi Taremi becomes Iran's all-time World Cup finals record scorer, on two goals.
FULL-TIME
England 6-2 Iran
That'll do, lads, that'll do.
Post update
England 6-2 Iran
Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One
It's a cool penalty from Taremi. Whether they should have had it in the first place is unclear. He slots it away which is good, given the tough match he has had personally.
Post update
England 6-2 Iran
Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
It has been a bit of a strange ending to the game and that adds to it really. That goal from a tug on the shirt not seen by the referee and not given. But we have seen worse in this game that wasn't given.
GOAL - England 6-2 Iran
Mehdi Taremi
The whistle blows, Mehdi Taremi waits... and waits... and then skips up to slot in his spot-kick.
It is another consolation for Iran and also a reason for England to wonder 'what is the point of VAR?'
Post update
England 6-1 Iran
Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One
If you put that against Harry Maguire in the first half and then we're looking at this. Harry Maguire was bear hugged in the first half. This is where VAR lets itself down half the time. The ref probably wonders what he is looking at. There's just no consistency there.
PENALTY TO IRAN
England 6-1 Iran
It is a penalty. Where is the consistency?
Post update
England 6-1 Iran
I'm sorry, but if they give a penalty for this it is ridiculous. Not because a shirt tug by John Stones doesn't warrant it, but because it is nothing compared to Harry Maguire being wrestled to the ground earlier in the game.
Video Assistant Referee
England 6-1 Iran
What's this? A VAR cvheck for a possible Iran penalty.
The ref is coming to the touchline, which usually means only one thing.
Post update
England 6-1 Iran
Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
That is a fantastic save, Pickford waited and waited and as he goes down he keeps his trailing arm above to make contact and it is a great save.
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Daniel: Grealish's questionable dancing skills in his celebration, he promised a young fan who wrote to him a few weeks ago he would do that if he scored. Fair play to him for keeping his word!
Anon: Great to see Jack Grealish keep his promise of the shoulder wobble when he next scores to Finlay - the young City fan with Cystic Fibrosis. Even in the biggest game!