England are quicker, smarter, just better.

Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane link up but a last-ditch tackle denies the former a clear run at goal.

This is starting to feel like Jude Bellingham's England coming-of-age display. He's having a stormer.

Harry: Concussion: I grew up watching Jack Charlton in his pomp. His decline was heart-breaking. So many of that generation have gone the same way.

We're, what.. 4, 5 generations of players since Jack was in his prime. We know the science. And we're no further forward.

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One

Taremi is a good player but there has been absolutely zero service into him. He's feeding off scraps.

Jon: Awful challenges coming in… substitutions please!

Colin: It looks like Iran's primary objective for the 2nd half is to inflict the most physical damage on England players!

Mehdi Taremi is the dangerman for Iran, but he's not had a kick yet really. He tries to win his side a corner but comes off second best to John Stones.

Ebenezer: England is 3 goals up against Iran and Harry Kane is yet to score. That makes it more scary for the Iranians.

Trippier is down now holding his foot. He does not look happy at all.

There have been quite a few naughty tackles from Iranian players. This is no different. Toes stood on.

Trippier does hit the free-kick but curls it straight into the wall. Disappointing.

Matt Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

It was one of those tackles that came in from behind and the timing was really unfortunate as Harry Kane's foot was a little bit caught in the turf. It is his right ankle and we know historically he has had some issues with his ankles.

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One

We know Kane has had issues with his ankle before, he seems to roll it internally. Hopefully it's not a bad one. It just depends how much weight was on it.

Calling Kieran Trippier... you're required!

The defender has a free-kick he can smack at goal after Harry Kane is fouled near the Iran box. It brings a yellow card for Morteza Pouraliganji.

Kane holds his ankle and a nation holds his breath. He is soon back to his feet, though.

Image source, Getty Images

Abinash: England seems to have decided to chase glory right from the word go and the body language and mindset of the players is reflecting every bit of their desire and determination to bring home the cup.

Alex: When you've watched an England World Cup team take 80 minutes to score against Trinidad & Tobago you realise this group of players are playing so well together - have faith!

Iran have rung the changes. Three of them at the break.

Saeid Ezatolahi, Hossein Kanaani and Ali Gholizadeh are all on.

Can England replicate that first-half display? They could make a serious statement here if they do.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC One

Ifab are failing the players. This game is being beamed all around the world in front of millions of people. They have to bring a temporary substitution rule in because he should be off the pitch or receiving his treatment and then the goalkeeper can come on. He can be assessed for 10 to 15 minutes and clearly he was never in a fit state.

You're never going to get the player saying they want to come off. The players will say they are fine. Quite clearly he was not fine. They've even introduced another person, a medical advisor in the stands to look at video footage to give advice to medics who are on the pitch.

What on earth is he doing? IFAB are failing players by not introducing a temporary substitution.

England's 366 completed passes is the second most in the first 45 minutes of a World Cup game on record (since 1966), after Spain against Russia in 2018 (395).

It's not quite been tiki taka - but it has been thoroughly dominant.

Image source, Opta

Alan Shearer has just been praising England's use of width during that impressive first half - something that is always important when facing teams that sit deep.

More than 80% of England's attacks have come down the flanks, while the heatmaps of full-backs Luke Shaw and Kieran Trippier show just how far they have been up the pitch.

Shaw, in particular, seems to have spent much more time in the Iran half than his own.

Image source, Opta

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

A half-time light show now as England fans dance around to the sounds coming from the tannoy. They can’t quite believe that first half.