England is set to get their World Cup campaign underway, and how best to get ready for the tournament than with a simulation in FIFA 23's new World Cup DLC.
We will be simulating all the big games in the tournament, starting with Gareth Southgate's Three Lions!
Table of Contents
England's first opponent is Iran on Monday, 21 November, with USA and Wales as the other nations in Group B.
Starting XI
A hot topic among England fans right now is who will start our opening World Cup match.
England fans will expect to beat Iran, so Gareth Southgate's five at the back may come under scrutiny if it lacks attacking fluidity.
With the likely formation in mind, we opted for Jordan Pickford in goal, protected by three centre-backs in Harry Maguire, John Stones, and Kyle Walker.
Kieran Trippier and Arsenal's Bukayo Saka are our wing-backs for the opening game, with the hope that Saka gets forward as much as possible!
Our midfield partnership of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham is one of the best around, and we expect that to be Southgate's preferred option.
In the attack, we partnered Harry Kane with Raheem Sterling, supported by Mason Mount. A move we are sure will go down well with the fans...
Bright start
Although Iran fashioned the first chance of the game early on, the England team settled into their stride and created several chances.
Kane blazed England's first chance wide from the edge of the box after some neat link-up play between the front three.
Shortly after Mount justified his inclusion, heading home the rebound after Sterling had rattled the crossbar.
Mount then sent another effort wide of the post, before Sterling saw another effort hit the woodwork, this time via the goalkeeper.
The Three Lions didn't have it all their own way though, with Pickford forced into action to deny Sardar Azmoun late in the first half.
Job done
The second half continued in a similar fashion, with Sterling firing straight at the goalkeeper having been put clean through by Rice.
Nerves appeared to set in upon the hour with a flurry of chances for Iran forcing Pickford into action again before blocks from Maguire and Stones prevented an equaliser.
Southgate's side should have put the game to bed when Mount put Kane through one on one with the goalkeeper, but an uncharacteristically poor strike from the Spurs striker was saved.
There was still time left in the game for Kane to smash another chance over the bar before Pickford was forced into a late save to secure three points for England.
Verdict
The result is what matters, and three points to start the campaign are just what England needs.
Match winner Mount and Man of the Match Harry Maguire are two players under scrutiny, but both have been reliable performers under Southgate.
The front three linked up well at times but will hope to convert their 3.5 xG into more than one goal as the tournament goes on.
A 1-0 win against Iran may not be thrilling, but it should settle the nerves as England prepare to take on the USA and Wales.
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