England And Wales Kick Off Their World Cup Campaigns

England and Wales both kicked off their World Cup campaigns on Tuesday, in Group B.

Following semi-final heartbreak in the 2018 World Cup, and then a Euro Final defeat to Italy last year, the Three Lions were yearning three point to end a six game winless run and start what they hope to be a successful campaign.

It was all one-way traffic against Iran for the first half an hour, and soon England got what they deserved on 35 minutes. A pinpoint cross from Luke Shaw on the left found competition debutant Jude Bellingham, who, with his back to goal, rose for a header which looped excellently into the top corner - some could say it was 'Steven Gerrard-esque'.

Just eight minutes later, they had their second, through another young shining star, in Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka. The corner came in, and good performer Harry Maguire headed downwards for Saka to smash home on the half-volley, his powering effort from 14 yards sneaking under the bar.

First half injury time saw England's most capped player in the squad get in on the act, with Raheem Sterling expertly poking home from Harry Kane's inviting low cross.

There was no doubt in Gareth Southgate's side continuing their scoring, as Saka twisted and turned inside the area, before unleashing one towards the bottom corner, which left the 'keeper as still as a statue.

Iran may have been down and out of this tie a long time ago, but they made sure Jordan Pickford couldn't boast a clean sheet, as Marehi Taremi rocketed it home off the bar from close range, virtually an instant reply to the goal that put the Group B favourites 4-0 up.

However, England hadn't finished yet - they went on to grab a fifth. Substitute Marcus Rashford was next on the scoresheet, and incredibly, his first touches of the ball were in the lead up to his goal, which was taken extremely well, cooly placing his shot past the 'keeper and into the back of the net.

Yet, the rout still wasn't complete yet - Jack Grealish also came off the bench to score, and after Callum Wilson was through on goal, he unselfishly pulled it back for Grealish to tap in.

Iran did in fact, manage to claim another goal in the eight-goal thriller - in the final minute of injury time, a controversial penalty was awarded to the Iranians, and it was Taremi again who broke net, sending Pickford the wrong way.

It wasn't enough though to prevent a six-goal rout for England, who move top of Group B, ahead of a game against USA on Friday.

Wales were set to face USA in their first World Cup match since 1958. Knocked out in the round of 16 in the Euros last year, the Dragons were hoping they could go a step further in the international competition.

However, they didn't get off to the same start as the Three Lions did. A dominant USA side went in at the break 1-0 up, after Timothy Weah slotted home from a brilliant Christian Pulisic through ball.

The second half was a completely different game, with Wales coming out as the much better side, and probably should have taken all three points.

A Gareth Bale penalty eight minutes from time sparked ecstatic celebrations amongst the Welsh, but they couldn't conjure up any more, and walked away with a point, going into their Friday fixture versus Iran.