According to data produced by FIFA following England’s 6-2 win over Iran at the World Cup in Qatar earlier this week, English forwards Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling only exchanged two completed passes during the whole Group B game.
Kane was subbed after 76 minutes while Sterling lasted 71 minutes of the comfortable opening victory for Gareth Southgate’s side but, despite some fluid attacking play overall, the pair rarely linked up. However, those two completed passes proved to be effective as Kane’s cross for Sterling to score England’s third just before halftime was Kane’s only completed pass to the Chelsea attacker all game.
Sterling, meanwhile, also only completed one pass to Kane during the 71 minutes the pair shared on the pitch in Qatar. Kane, meanwhile, also only completed one pass to sub Marcus Rashford, which also became an assist as the Manchester United man added England’s fifth.
Southgate will be hoping his team can maintain such ruthless efficiency in upcoming games with Wales and the USA.
GWFN
