Fifa U-17 World Cup: England in full flow, thump Iraq

Kolkata: Daniel Loader scored a second-half brace as England thrashed Iraq 4-0 to win their third straight match in Group F at the Fifa U-17 World Cup here on Saturday.

Angel Gomes and Emile Smith Rowe also struck either side of half-time as England overran their Asian rivals in the final half hour.

Iraq still advanced with four points, but will be without star striker Mohammed Dawood, who came on as a second half substitute and picked up a second yellow card and a next-match suspension.

England opened the scoring in an entertaining first half in the 11th minute thanks to an accurate Nya Kirby cross.

Jadon Sancho just failed to get on to the ball, but captain Angel Gomes was there to punt the ball in.

England could have doubled their lead 15 minutes later, but impressive Iraqi goalkeeper Ali Ibadi dived to his right to save a penalty from Sancho.

The Europeans’ attack came fully to life, and they were rampant after the break. Smith Rowe and Gomes combined well for their second in the 57th minute before Loader took centrestage.

In both goals, his speed and early passes let him loose in front of the stranded Iraqi goalkeeper.

For the first, he rounded Ibadi with style; the second saw him cut the ball across goal and inside the left post. England threatened to score more, but Callum Hudson-Odoi could only go close twice in the closing minutes.