By Akan Anwankwo
The first round of matches in Group A and B were played and teams have shown their intent at the World Cup.
Qatar vs Ecuador
The host were no match for their South American rivals as they were beaten in front of their fans in the opening game.
The match just needed two Enner Valencia’s goal in the first half to seal victory.
Senegal vs Netherlands
On the other hand, African champions Senegal put up a good fight against the Netherlands but got opened up in defence late into the game.
It took 82 minutes before Cody Gakpo found the back of the net courtesy of a beautiful cross from Frenkie De Jong.
The Dutch were not finished as they struck again in the ninth minute of the 90, when Davy Klassen capitalized on an Edouard Mendy’s poor save to seal a 2-0 win for his side.
England vs Iran
Group B was even more entertaining as the Three Lions were too good for Iran in the first game.
Gareth Southgate’s men thumped their opponents by 6-2, as they went into the break with a 3-0 lead.
Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with a glancing header as Bukayo Saka doubled the lead with a classy finish.
Sterling was on hand to make it 3-0 with a jab from Harry Kane’s cross.
Saka even scored a better goal as he mesmerized his way through the Iranian defence to calmly put away the fourth.
Mehdi Taremi gave Iran something to cheer about as he made it 4-1.
49 seconds after coming into the game, Marcus Rashford made it 5-1 to England with a composed strike.
Another substitute Jack Grealish was on hand to tap-in from a Callum Wilson’s cross to make it 6-1.
It was not finished there as Taremi completed his brace from a penalty to finish the game 6-2.
USA vs Wales
The other group game was exciting as the United States brought the game to Wales in the first half.
And they profited from it as Timothy Weah instinctively finished a Christian Pulisic’s through ball.
The Welsh side came back better in the second half and they had to wait in the last eight minutes of the game to earn a penalty.
Captain of the side Gareth Bale made no mistake as he saved his side from an opening day defeat as they match ended 1-1.
