After all the noise, it could hardly have gone any better for Gareth Southgate as England overran Iran to open their World Cup in commanding style.
England came into the game without victory in six matches and with plenty of negativity surrounding them and Southgate in particular. They ended it with a morale-boosting 6-2 win which ensured there would not be a repeat of the dreadful World Cup openers against the USA in 2010 and Italy in 2014.
The Three Lions were 3-0 up at half-time inside the Khalifa International Stadium. They had enjoyed 82 per cent possession and scored with three of their four shots on target. Things got even better in the second half, with more goals coming and substitutes contributing. Better still: every one of Southgate’s decisions had paid off.
The result is three points in Group B and England heading into their next match against the US at 7pm on Friday with lots of confidence. Southgate has been vindicated – and here are the tactical tweaks he should stick with following a convincing start to the tournament.
4-3-3
The biggest talking point before kick-off – besides the OneLove armband backtracking and ticketing problems – concerned Southgate’s formation. England had played a three-man defence in their previous two fixtures, against Germany and Italy, but switched to a conventional 4-3-3 to play Iran following Nations League relegation.
Despite lots of evidence to the contrary, Southgate has often been criticised for an apparent lack of adventure during his six-year tenure as manager. Here he recognised that England needed invention and ambition to break down a defensive-minded Iran side. It worked.
Eric Dier was not required as a third centre-back and the three-man midfield allowed Jude Bellingham – picked ahead of Kalvin Phillips – licence to roam forward, which reaped rewards in the form of his first international goal in his 18th appearance.
The selection of Mason Mount ahead of Phil Foden is debatable and tactical flexibility is a key trait during a long tournament. But all the evidence from the Iran game suggests Southgate should keep faith with 4-3-3 for the game against the USA.
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Saka-Sterling axis
Raheem Sterling is yet to really hit the ground running for Chelsea, but he is an absolute stalwart of Southgate’s England side. He has his backing unconditionally and it was easy to see why on Monday afternoon.
England are blessed with a number of options in attack to support Harry Kane, but the selection of Sterling and Bukayo Saka made the hierarchy clear. Saka stole the show with two nicely-taken goals, but the performance and goal for Sterling was perhaps more important for the Three Lions.
The duo’s direct nature and pace make them perfect foils for Kane, who loves to drop deep to receive the ball and link play. The Tottenham striker left the pitch in the second half without scoring, or even having a shot on target, but his play was crucial to the success of those around him.
England showed their depth off the bench, with Foden, Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford all coming on alongside Callum Wilson. But the first-choice front line is now without question.
Attacking full-backs
It wasn’t an eye-catching selection call, but it was an important one. Kieran Trippier has enjoyed a wonderful half-season with Newcastle and was fully deserving of his selection against Iran. But his position was far from certain, given Southgate’s previous preference to place him at left-back.
Trippier has frequently played on the left of defence for England, with Kyle Walker starting at right-back. Walker’s lack of match sharpness and the pre-tournament injury to Reece James arguably made Southgate’s call at full-back more straightforward, but his critics might have still expected to see Trippier line up on the left side of England’s defence.
Instead, Luke Shaw was trusted with the role he has performed well for Manchester United of late and England benefited greatly from the balance his left foot provided. With Iran sat deep in a low block, Southgate’s side moved the ball to the flanks quickly to force overloads.
Shaw set up Bellingham’s deft header to open the scoring – the key breakthrough in the game. The floodgates opened later on as Iran became ragged. But things could easily have been very different.
Southgate may be tempted to switch things around as the tournament progresses. Yet, after six successive matches without a win, he would be wise to stick with his new-found tactical set-up after hitting the FIFA-ranked 20th-best side for six.
