England vs Iran player ratings: No goals but captain Kane makes his mark

England's campaign could not have got off to a better start as they beat Iran 6-2 at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, but who were the standout players on the opening match of Group B at the 2022 Qatar World Cup?

England

Jordan Pickford

The goalkeeper barely had anything to do and was annoyed that England could not keep a clean sheet. He let out his frustration at his defenders, but made a brilliant late save. 6/10

Kieran Trippier

Took virtually all of England’s corners, which Iran could not cope with. Harry Maguire hit the bar from one and Bukayo Saka scored as a result of another. Set pieces will no doubt be key in the World Cup. 7/10

John Stones

Unfortunate to have Var give a penalty against him right at the end of the game. The Manchester City defender had been in cruise control until then. 6/10

Harry Maguire

It looked like just the start Maguire would have wanted until Iran pulled back a consolation goal for which Medhi Taremi got a run on him. It transpired he had been feeling ill and needed to be replaced. 6/10

Luke Shaw

Produced a delicious cross from which Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with his head. The Manchester United left-back recovered well from being on the end of an early foul. 7/10

Jude Bellingham

What a way to mark your World Cup debut. The midfielder became just the second teenager to score at the tournament after Michael Owen. Just another reminder of what a special talent England has. 9/10

Declan Rice

Played as the deepest of England’s midfielders and, despite Iran not offering much threat, made some vital interceptions and was always in the right place. 7/10

Bukayo Saka

Justified Gareth Southgate’s decision to pick him over Phil Foden by scoring twice on his World Cup debut. The Arsenal midfielder produced two different finishes of equal quality. 9/10

Mason Mount

Handed an advanced midfield role and prompted and probed to great effect. The Chelsea midfielder passed, tackled and carried the ball in an impressive all-round performance. 8/10

Raheem Sterling

He had not been in his best form for Chelsea, but Raheem Sterling has a good recent record of performing on the big occasion for England. His goal will have done him the world of good. 8/10

Harry Kane

Will perhaps be a little frustrated that he did not get on the scoresheet, but Harry Kane set up Sterling’s goal and also sent substitute Marcus Rashford through to score. 8/10

Substitutes

Eric Dier – (on for Maguire, 70): Replaced Maguire for the final 20 minutes when England were coasting. 6/10

Marcus Rashford –(on for Sterling, 70): The stadium announcer was still declaring the substitutes when Rashford slotted the ball into the net. 7/10

Phil Foden – (on for Saka, 71): Another England player to be handed his World Cup debut. Phil Foden could still have a big role to play. 7/10

Jack Grealish – (on for Mount, 71): The £100 million man was set up by Callum Wilson to net his first World Cup goal. 7/10

Callum Wilson – (on for Kane, 76): Unselfish play to lay the ball on a plate for Jack Grealish to score. 7/10

Iran

Alireza Beiranvand

Received lengthy treatment for head injury following nasty clash with Rouzbeh Cheshmi, after tipping over Sterling header. Little other action. 5/10

Milad Mohammadi

Caught napping for early free kick taken quickly, which rather set the tone. Too much came down his side, where Saka thrived. 4/10

Majid Hosseini

Another torn top shreds by Saka and was also beaten in air by Bellingham for 1-0. Made one last-ditch tackle to halt great Sterling run. 5/10

Rouzbeh Cheshmi

Lost ball on way to England's third when far up pitch attempting to assert himself. Lost Bellingham for first goal. One of three subbed at half time. 3/10

Morteza Pouraliganji

Put himself about well from a variety of defensive positions. Gave England horrible moment with foul on Kane which initially seemed to injure him. 6/10

Sadegh Moharrami

Cross for England's first goal came down his flank. Looked harried and somewhat panicked up against Sterling. 4/10

Ehsan Hajsafi

Captain tried to lead press but found few to follow his example in first half. Better in second, like his team as a whole. 6/10

Ali Karimi

Attempted to pay close attention to Bellingham but could not get close to the midfielder when it mattered. Careless in rare moments on the ball. 4/10

Ahmad Nourollahi

A first-half passenger, another who gave ball away cheaply. Exerted himself reasonably in second, but mostly gave away fouls. 5/10

Alireza Jahanbakhsh

Looked Iran's most promising creative outlet, which is not saying much. Screwed up best chance leaning back and shooting over. Booked and hooked at half time. 4/10

Mehdi Taremi

Tried hard to hold it up but was given little opportunity. Fought to change tone of game in second half and deserved his consolation goals. 7/10

Substitutes

Goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini could do little about the six goals. Midfielders Said Ezatolahi and Hossein Kanaani improved their team. Defender Ali Gholizadeh did not. Sardar Azmoun had no time to make impact.