Kolkata: England displayed a stellar show against an in-form Iraq as they secured the top spot in Group F with a 4-0 win in the FIFA U17 World Cup at the Salt Lake Stadium today.
Manchester United starlet Angel Gomes scored a stunner in the 11th minute of the game with a brilliant strike. The first half of the game remained 1-0 and later in the second half Danny Loader scored a brace (59’ and 71’) to extend the lead for the young lions. The other scorer was Emile Smith-Rowe who scored a goal in the 57th minute of the game.
High on confidence English side will now take face second in Group E in the pre-quarterfinals on Tuesday.
Iraq, who has finished in second in Group E will lock horns against Mali on the same day in Goa.
England got their first in the 11th minute. Gomes initiated the move freeing Nya Kirby on the right. Daniel Loader failed to reach Kirbi’s low cross, but Gomes who was following the ball slotted it home.
Emile Smith Rowe then came close to scoring. His angular shot missed the far post by a whisker.
Smith Rowe then earned a penalty after he was brought down by Mohammed Albaquer inside the box.
But Iraq goalkeeper Ali Ibadi read it correctly and dived to his right to deny Jadon Sancho what could have been his fourth goal of the tournament.
Minutes later, Smith Rowe again found himself in the clear but this time also the Iraqi goalkeeper made a good save.
In the 32nd minute, Iraq got their first real chance. A wonderful move saw skipper Mohammed Ridha set up Ali Kareem who had only England goalkeeper William Crellin to beat.
But Crellin effected a good save. Ali Kareem again spurned an opportunity after Moamel Kareem teed up the former up. This time he hit straight to a defender with goalkeeper Crellin woefully out of position.
At halftime, England led by the solitary goal but Iraq showed enough promise to bite back after the restart.
Coach Qahtan Chitheer unleashed Dawood three minutes into the second period and the in-form forward almost made the most of a goalkeeping lapse.
After Moamel Kareem’s initial effort was blocked, Dawood blasted over the rebound from close range.
Jut when Iraq looked likely to peg back, England changed gears and snatched the game away from the Asian U-16 champions in the space of two minutes.
First, Smith Rowe atoned for his earlier misses with an exquisite flicked finish after playing a delightful one-two with Gomes.
Two minutes later, Loader rounded off Iraq keeper Ibadi to slot the ball home after the defenders were caught napping.
The Reading striker would have his second soon after, making the most of a Steven Sessegnon pass to ruffle the net.
Matters turned from bad to worse for Iraq as Dawood picked up a second booking which means he will miss the next game.