Football: World Cup - Bierhoff rewards German labours

Germany 2 Bierhoff 50, Klinsmann 58 Iran 0 Att: 35,

GOALS BY their principal strikers, Oliver Bierhoff and Jurgen Klinsmann, redeemed a laboured German display last night to set up another clash of footballing cultures against Mexico here on Monday.

Bierhoff, who outscored Ronaldo in Italy last season to earn an pounds 8.7m move to Milan, was Iran's tormentor, heading the first goal and playing a prominent part in the second. But it was not a win to inspire confidence in the Germans' capacity to take the trophy for the fourth time.

Berti Vogts had shown his displeasure with Germany's slackness in the 2-2 draw against Yugoslavia by making four changes. One restored Lothar Matthaus to the starting line-up for his 23rd appearance in the finals, a competition record, and he was to be an influential libero as Germany stepped up the tempo in the second half.

Iran, who will leave France still savouring the mother of all victories over the United States, had performed their pre-match exercises with the ironic strains of "Go West" booming over the loudspeakers. Several of their squad are to do precisely that, although this was a lesson that technique needs to complemented by greater toughness.

Germany quickly established territorial ascendancy but originally had neither the wit nor the width to break down the defence which was speedily augmented by midfielders. Too often the European champions lofted in high, hopeful balls, only to find Ahmad Abezadeh more than content to come 10 yards or more to pluck them from the air.

An early goal might have opened up the game, but Bierhoff snatched at a fourth-minute opportunity laid on by Klinsmann. His volley cleared the crossbar and the same fate soon met a more ambitious version of the same shot by Thomas Hassler.

Iran's strategy was to play on the break. In the right-sided wingback, Mehdi Mahdavikia - who claims he will shortly be joining a colony of compatriots in the Bundesliga - they had a dangerously mobile competitor.

Andreas Kopke had to dash from his area to clear from the onrushing Mahdavikia in the 14th minute. The goalkeeper also needed to be alert to keep out two low long-range by Karim Bagheri, who is already with a Germany club. The favourites' frustration was manifested in an outburst of dissent by Klinsmann, earning the captain a caution.

Olaf Thon was withdrawn at the interval, with Mattheus assuming his old role, and the younger legs of Dietmar Hamann coming into midfield as Germany asserted their physical superiority. Within five minutes they had seized the initiative.

Having battered unimaginatively on the door of a packed defence, they at last produced the pace and width required to disorient Iran. The build- up culminated in Jorg Heinrich working Hassler into a crossing position. He did so instantaneously and Bierhoff soared above two markers to head an old-fashioned centre-forward's goal.

Germany made the match - and first place - safe in the 58th minute. Matthaus' chipped pass was nodded down by Heinrich to Bierhoff, whose shot hit the post. Klinsmann instinctively followed up and dived to head in the rebound.

Iran's initial defiance, which bordered on impudence, gave way to determination to keep the margin within respectable bounds. However, the irrepressible Mahdavikia still found the energy for one final forlorn assault on Kopke's goal.

It was a vintage German display only in terms of the age of their side. Mexico will offer a far sterner test.

GERMANY (1-2-4-1-2): Kopke (Marseilles); Thon (Schalke 04); Worns (Bayer Leverkusen), Kohler (Borussia Dortmund); Heinrich (Borussia Dortmund), Matthaus, Helmer, Tarnat (all Bayen Munich); Hassler (Karlsruhe); Klinsmann (Tottenham), Bierhoff (Udinese). Substitutes: Hamann (Bayern Munich) for Thon, h-t; Kirsten (Bayer Leverkusen) for Hassler, 70; Ziege (Milan) for Tarnat, 77.

IRAN (3-5-2): Abedzadeh (Pirouzi Tehran); Zarincheh (Esteghlal Tehran), Khakpour (Bahman Tehran), Mohammadkhani (Zob-e-Ahan Isfahan); Pashazadeh (Esteghlal), Minavand Chal (Pirouzi); Mahdavikia (Pirouzi), Bagheri (Arminia Bielefeld), Estili (Bahman); Azizi (Cologne); Daei (Bayernn Munich). Substitute: Din Mohammadi (Shahradi Tabriz) for Zarincheh, 71.

Referee: E Gonzalez Chavez (Paraguay).