England blank Iraq 4-0, set up last 16 clash against Japan

England beat Iraq 4-0 in their final league encounter in Kolkata on Saturday to set up a pre-quarterfinal clash against Japan in the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. 

Having won all three matches, England topped the group with nine points while Iraq also qualified for the last-16 after finishing second with four points.

Iraq will face Mali in their first ever U-17 World Cup pre-quarterfinal appearance in Goa on October 17 while England and Japan will square off in Kolkata on the same day. 

Manchester United junior Angel Gomes put the team ahead in the 11th minute after starting the match as captain. Arsenal graduate Emile Smith-Rowe then doubled the lead on his World Cup debut in the 59th minute before England sealed the game after Daniel Loader scored twice in the space of 12 minutes.

Leading from the front, Gomes put England ahead from very close range after Loader failed to capitalise on a Nya Kirby cross. Rowe then opened his account after Gomes set him up with a clinical through ball. Loader fired in the next goal from the centre of the box after being nicely set up by Steven Sessegnon. He scored his second 12 minutes later after sending the ball crashing into the bottom-left corner with a powerful right-footer.

Iraq missed their leading goalscorer Mohammed Dawood -- who didn't start the game -- up front as they failed to finish a number of attacks. Their only positive if any came in the form of a penalty save when their goalkeeper Ali Ibadi saved Jadon Sancho's 25th-minute penalty.

Things didn't end well for Iraq as Dawood who came on in the second-half, received his second booking in the tournament and will miss their next match.