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Mon 21 November 2022 | 16:58

Southgate says England 'will have to be better' despite 6-2 win

England beat Iran 6-2 in their opening game of the 2022 World Cup at the Khalifa International Stadium.

Bukayo Saka

scored two goals and

Jude Bellingham

and Raheem Sterling both scored in the first half. Substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish also both scored in the second half.

After the game, Gareth Southgate admitted that he was concerned by the standard of defending they showed.

"I'm a bit fed up with the end of it, really,"

he told BBC Sport. 

"To win by that margin, to play as we did for the majority of the game, you've got to be really happy.

"They dealt with the game really well. It was a sticky first half with lots of stops, but we were a real threat throughout. Our movement was really good.

"But we shouldn't be conceding two goals [at] that stage of the game. We'll have to be right on our game against the United States, it was a great start, but we will have to do better.

"It's a consequence of the scoreline a bit. We just lost concentration and when we play at a slower tempo, we're nowhere near as effective.

"

Southgate has now won nine matches at major tournaments which is more than any other

England

manager in history.

He added:

"We've got some good players, and today they really delivered. It's a great marker to put down."

Southgate also said that he must keep his players focused on the upcoming games.

"Wilson was on,"

he added.

"He could have been selfish but he was thinking of the team even at that moment. I should be more excited, but I've got to keep the team on the right track, where we have to be better."


source: SportMob



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