Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One

It's not that easy. You go out there, you get these teams and you think 'this is meant to be a pushover' but it doesn't work out like that unless you go out there and you perform. These boys, every one of them, to a man, are playing well.

Alan Shearer
Former England striker on BBC One

Magnificent from start to finish, the way they started the game, the passing and moving. Set-pieces, when you play against a team who sit men behind the ball, you have to have width. England have had all of that. Every single player has played their part, it's been superb to watch.

Image source, Getty Images

Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer in Doha

England are strolling this. They could not get started in the first 20 minutes because the game was so broken up but once it settled down they showed their superiority by outclassing Iran.

It is now a question of how many.

Danny Murphy
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

It is hard to look past Bellingham, he is mixing up his play so well. Dropping deep at times and pushing on at others. When you are watching him it is really easy to forget just how young he is.

Jude Bellingham is the first-ever player born in or after 2000 to find the net at the World Cup.

He wasn't even a twinkle in the eye when England's record youngest scorer Michael Owen set that mark in 1998.

And this is a Sterling effort. Ha.

Here is the goal scored by Saka. A popular scorer, no doubt.

Rob Green
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live

England have made their statement, scoring three fantastic goals and have ticked all the boxes. Iran look overwhelmed by the occasion.

It was a stalled, broken-up half but pretty much the perfect one for England. They started well against a good side and then started well again after the injury to Iran keeper Alireza Beyranvand.

Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling the scorers of three superb goals.

OK, hands up... who saw this coming?

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One

You have to make a team look ordinary. England have made Iran look ordinary and they seem to have a few more tools and ways to get in behind teams. Southgate just shifted a few pieces when he realised Iran were playing with a five at the back.

We've nearly had all 14 of the added minutes. It's been a mad half.

Andy Cryer
BBC Sport in Qatar

This has been so easy for England, the atmosphere has actually fallen a little flat.

England fans still enjoying singing 'Jingle Bells' though.

There will be tougher tests to come...

Matt Upson
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

I can just feel the tempo dropping. All of a sudden its looking more like a practice match. England very comfortable getting into half-time with this lead.

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One

England have just dropped the tempo slightly but that is understandable, they've got the three goals.

Chance for Iran!

England lapse for the first time really and invite the team in red forward.

Milad Mohammadi is found on the left for a cross that finds Alireza Jahanbakhsh in acres of space in the box. He can take a touch if he wants but opts for a volley that flies way over the bar.

It is a little reminder to England not to switch off.

So, Raheem Sterling's goal was his first in a World Cup. This having failed to find the back of the net in any of his first 9 appearances in the competition (14 attempts on goal in those games).

England are the first team to score at least three goals in the first half of a World Cup match since... England against Panama on 24 June 2018.

They netted five on that occasion, which might be a push here to be fair, although there are still a few stoppage-time minutes left...

It's the fourth time England have scored three goals or more in the first half of a World Cup game - they also achieved the feat against Poland in 1986 and Denmark in 2002 as well as in that 6-1 pummelling of Panama.

Jermaine Jenas
Former England midfielder on BBC One

Every time Saka gets the ball, he is facing his man up and trying to go past them. Its a horrible prospect for any defender to have to deal with.