FIFA World Cup 2022: England vs Iran, Highlights: Three Lions hand Iran 6-2 crushing defeat

Doha, Nov. 21: England began their FIFA World Cup 2022 campaign with a thrashing 6-2 win over Iran in their opener at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Monday (Nov. 21).

Jude Bellingham opened the scoring for the Three Lions as he found the back of the net on the 35th minute. Bukayo Saka, who struck twice, scored his first on the 43rd minute, while Raheem Sterling put England 3-0 up before half-time.

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In the second half, Baka delivered once again as he struck on the 62nd minute. Marcus Rashford, replacing Saka, had instant impact as he scored within a minute of coming on. While Rashford made it 5-1 for England on the 71st minute, Jack Grealish continued England's dominance as he struck on the 89th minute.

Mehdi Taremi scored the consolation goal for Iran. Almost at the end of injury time, Iran was awarded a penalty as Taremi scored the penalty. England collected three important points from the Group B encounter.

The first ten minutes of the match, saw Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand being stretchered off. After a nasty clash, Beiranvand was left with a bloody nose. After being checked out, he was allowed to resume, but the keeper almost immediately asked to be taken off. With Beiranvand taken off the field on a stretched, Hossein Hosseini replaced him and he had a busy day.

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Dominating throughout, with 82% possession in the first half, the Three Lions got their campaign off to a roaring start. Saka - whose penalty miss proved decisive in the Euro 2020 final last year - netted a stunning volley to help Gareth Southgate's side take a 3-0 lead into half-time, before he doubled up after the break.

With Iran crumbling after goalkeeper after Beyranvand's nasty head injury, Bellingham set the tone by scoring his first international goal, while Sterling prodded home England's third.

Taremi denied England a clean sheet with a powerful finish, but substitutes Rashford and Grealish responded as the Three Lions sent out a message to their Group B rivals despite Taremi scoring a very late second from the penalty spot.

Harry Maguire was a nuisance in the opposition box and saw an early penalty appeal waved away before powering a header against the crossbar in the 32nd minute.

Three minutes later, Bellingham diverted Luke Shaw's hanging cross into the top-right corner with a fine looping header. With Iran struggling to contain the Three Lions, Maguire nodded a corner into the path of Saka to unleash a fierce volley into the top-right corner and double England's lead.

Southgate's rampant side then made it 3-0 in first-half stoppage time when Sterling cutely diverted home Harry Kane's right-wing cross.

There was no sign of England slowing down after the break, as Saka clinched his brace by cutting inside to drill a low finish beyond Iran substitute Hossein Hosseini.

Taremi denied England a clean sheet by firing in off the crossbar, but substitutes Rashford and Grealish produced composed finishes as the Three Lions extended their lead to 6-1.

But there was still some more drama to come in the last minute of injury time. Taremi converted from the spot at the end of stoppage time after a VAR check contentiously ruled he was fouled by John Stones.