IN a group also containing the USA and Wales, opening their 2022 World Cup campaign against Iran was never likely to present England with their sternest test of the tournament’s initial phase.

Still, many talented sides – many former champions, even – have fallen at such surmountable World Cup hurdles. England vaulted theirs in style.

Goals from Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling put Gareth Southgate’s men 3-0 up at half-time. After the break Saka added a second and substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish scored to complete England’s largest-ever win in a World Cup opener, a 6-2 thrashing blemished only by a second-half brace for Mehdi Taremi.

Here are our player ratings for England’s thoroughly impressive opening victory.

Jordan Pickford – 6

The Everton goalkeeper is unlikely enjoy as easy an afternoon’s work again in Qatar. But for a five-minute period in the second half when Taremi scored his first and Iran pushed for another, England’s opponents offered little attacking threat and Pickford’s duties revolved more around distribution and the recycling of possession, strengths of the left-footer’s game. In truth, he could have slung away his gloves and slid into a pair of slippers and no one would have noticed for much of the game.

Kieran Tripper – 6

A little sloppy in possession at times but Trippier linked well with Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane when moving forward down England’s right side and was seldom troubled in the other direction.

John Stones – 5

A mostly comfortable, if quiet, outing for the experienced Manchester City centre-back was sullied slightly by the stoppage-time concession of a penalty for a VAR-spotted shirt pull. Stones was typically composed and confident on the ball, playing short, simple passes into Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham to instigate England’s attacks.

Harry Maguire – 7

Maguire entered the tournament as an outcast at Manchester United and with his England place widely criticised. Against Iran, he proved why Southgate’s faith in him is so staunch. Although greater defensive tests will come, he was tidy in his work in England’s half, but Maguire excelled in the Iranian penalty area. He should have been awarded a spot kick when hauled down at a corner in the opening minutes. He then crashed a top-corner-bound header against the bar at 0-0 before his cushioned nod to Saka set up England’s second. He was caught slightly flat-footed as Mehdi Taremi scored Iran’s first and a head injury ended his game early, but, overall, it was just the kind of performance he needed.

Luke Shaw – 7

His place within Manchester United’s back four hasn’t always been assured this season, but against Iran Shaw showed why he remains England’s top choice at left-back. Rarely stretched defensively, was a constant overlap option in attack and provided a nicely flighted cross for Bellingham’s headed opener.

Declan Rice – 6

The West Ham star’s work is not always spectacular but it is invaluable to the balance of this England side. As the deepest midfielder, he shielded the back four and made himself a constant passing option for his team-mates. His play rarely penetrates the way his midfield partner’s does, but against better opponents his value will only shine through more.

Jude Bellingham – 8

Only 19 years old yet it is difficult to shake the feeling that Bellingham is England’s best player and the centrepiece around whom their World Cup hopes revolve. Against Iran, he showed the full gamut of abilities that have made his one of Europe’s hottest properties with Borussia Dortmund. He covered every blade of grass, working back to support the defence, driving England forward through the middle third, linking with the forwards and, as was the case for his beautifully dispatched header to open the scoring, looking a real threat when breaking into the box.

Raheem Sterling – 7

There was some support among critics for Sterling to lose his England place for the World Cup off the back of a tough start to life at Chelsea this season. But the 27-year-old was a buzzing attacking presence throughout his 70 minutes before being taken off for a breather. In first-half stoppage time, he pounced to score his 20^th England goal and his first at a World Cup.

Mason Mount – 6

It was a relatively quiet game for Mount in England’s No.10 position, but the Chelsea man linked midfield and attack effectively and looked to break ahead of Kane when possible. Not one of Southgate’s headline performers of the afternoon but a solid, effective display that allowed those around him to thrive.

Bukayo Saka – 9

The 21-year-old’s sparkling club form with table-topping Arsenal earned him a starting spot in England’s World Cup opener and his performance against Iran showed exactly why he is not only a rising hope on the international stage but a fully fledged superstar. His rasping volley into the top corner put England 2-0 up, before a saunter into the box and low finish nabbed a fourth for the Three Lions early in the second half.

Harry Kane – 7

England scored six and Kane did not score. A barely thinkable scenario but one that played out against Iran. Although he did not find the net, Kane toiled admirably at the point of attack, dropping deep to link play and providing two assists, the first of which a sublime cross from the right to supply Sterling. The goals will come, but this was a fine performance nonetheless from England’s captain.

Gareth Southgate – 9

Analysing the line-up pre-kickoff, Southgate’s 4-2-3-1 selection perhaps could have included greater creativity through the inclusion of Phil Foden or Jack Grealish in place of Mason Mount. But it was not needed. Southgate’s XI was balanced perfectly, with attacking threat from wide and through the middle, ballast in midfield and full-backs capable of supporting the forwards against a side known for stern defence.

Subs – 8

Rashford came off the bench for his first appearance since his miss in England’s shootout loss to Italy in the Euro 2020 final and the in-form Manchester United striker scored instantly, collecting Kane’s forward pass before chopping inside and finishing calmly with his left foot. Jack Grealish also made a quick impact, adding England’s sixth after entering the match. A strong show of England’s depth.