England and Iran break the ice in Group B. They do so with the feeling that what happens in the opening game may affect the group stage. The Khalifa International Stadium in Rayán will be the witness of exception at 2:00 p.m. of the coming-out of one of the favorites who appears in the World Cup with too many doubts.
How England comes. England’s last six official matches do not invite optimism. Those from Southgate arrive at the World Cup without winning since March in a friendly against the Ivory Coast. Despite this, The Three Lions are one of the most talented teams in the championship. The Foden, Sterling, Mount, Kane, Bellingham… they will want to step on the final rounds again after being fourth in the last World Cup and runners-up in a Euro Cup that had their name on the poster of great favorite. Now, at the maturity of one of the best generations, it is their turn to make the leap.
How does Iran arrive? Third consecutive World Cup, fifth in which they participate, for one of the great powers of Asia. They have not lifted their continental title since 1976, but they have become a fixture in the great national team tournament. With several of their stars shining in Champions teams, they have already shown signs of being able to hurt teams like Uruguay and Senegal in some of their last friendlies. They will look for the round of 16 in a group with too many roosters.
The game duel. The focus of the duel will be centered on one of the great stars of the tournament such as Harry Kane. The English forward arrives in Qatar at a great moment and will try to get rid of the thorn of the last Euro Cup. For its part, Iran will have its two main offensive assets in Jahanbakhsh and Taremi. The one from Feyenoord, will be together with the one from Porto, the great reference of the selection led by a classic like Carlos Queiroz.
BY Fernando Perez (Football Analyst, Spain)
Bengali