Bobfoc

If Messi had scored in 2010, he would now have a goal in five consecutive World Cups.

That was my first thought too. Very suspicious.

Something just happened to ITV's coverage during the Saudi Arabian anthem.

Nothing against the American people on here, but USA winning is dull to me. They're successful in so many sports and the prospect of them eventually being the best football team just feels like too much. I reckon they should intentionally get bad at basketball or something as a fair trade.

A Welsh victory today would be much more interesting than an American one.

Not that I'm unhappy that the matches are badly attended, but it stings even more for the exploited workers that building all these big stadiums has been such a waste.

They won their qualifying group ahead of South Korea and beat Uruguay in a warm-up match a couple of months ago. All the talk was that this was the best Iranian team at a World Cup so far.

That was a much better performance from England than I was expecting. I'll be interested to see how they get on against the other teams in the group, who should provide more of a challenge.

Ten added minutes? What's that all about?

Happy for Rashford there.

Liquid football

Bellingham is the first player born in the 21st century to score a World Cup goal.

That was a ridiculously long half.

I'd heard that Iran were a well organised side, but they look really poor right now. Wales and USA shouldn't have any concerns about them based on this first half.

I didn't realise Sterling hadn't scored a World Cup goal before now.

I had this down as a dreary affair, but it's nice to see positive attacking football working.

Good for Saka after the Euro 2020 heartbreak.

The England fans are really quiet, which is probably a good thing.

Hey, Jude.

Iran have four goalkeepers in their squad and are still keeping their probably concussed one on the pitch. Great idea.

So if a team did decide wear the armbands, would all of their players be given instant yellow cards?

Maybe it's all part of the propaganda process. Make themselves look like a group of plucky tykes who don't pose a threat to anyone.

Give him the Golden Boot already.

I think Qatar's goalkeeper was someone they picked up at the bus stop.

Rigged