England opened up their 2022 FIFA World Cup Campaign in Qatar with a comprehensive 6-2 win over Iran on Wednesday.
A double from Arsenal star Bukayo Saka, along with goals from Jude Bellingham, Raheem Sterling, and Marcus Rashford helped give the three lions the victory.
Forward Mehdi Taremi score both goals for Iran, including a penalty in additional time.
Midfielder Bellingham, 19, opened the scoring after delivering on a header off a corner kick in the 35th minute.
Saka added to England’s lead in the 43rd minute after corralling a loose ball from a corner kick and firing it past Iran goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini.
England added a third marker at 45 + 1′ when forward Raheem Sterling delivered an aerial strike to score.
In the second half, Saka scored his second of the game in the 62nd minute after Iranian turnover at midfield led to a defensive breakdown leaving Saka to score all alone in front of the net.
Three minutes later, Iran forward Taremi battered a loose ball past England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to get Iran on the scoreboard.
England quickly restored their four-goal advantage when forward Marcus Rashford came into the game in the 71st minute for Raheem Sterling and scored seconds after his arrival.
Winger Jack Grealish put the final nail in the coffin when he scored in the 90th minute on an open net after an odd man rush.
Taremi scored his second goal of the game in extra time on a penalty kick to cut England’s lead to 6-2
Fourteen minutes was added to the first half after Iran goalkeepr Alireza Beyranvand suffered a head injury early in the game.
