England secured a dream start to their 2022 World Cup campaign with an impressive 6-2 win over Iran in their Group B opener.
Jude Bellingham's first England goal got the ball rolling for Gareth Southgate's side in Doha, before Bukayo Saka and Raheem Sterling made it 3-0 before the break.
Saka's second, after the restart - to become the youngest England player to score twice in a World Cup game - was followed by late goals from substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish.
Two goals conceded was the sole negative for Southgate, in an eight-goal thriller at the Khalifa International Stadium, but does it set a new record for England in World Cup action?
The Sporting News looks at England's biggest ever World Cup wins, and where this one ranks.
England's biggest World Cup wins
Eight goals in the Qatari capital capped off an incredible night for Southgate and England, as they scored six goals in a World Cup game, in a second successive World Cup.
Mehdi Taremi's late penalty denied England a record equalling result against Iran as the 6-1 victory over Panama in 2018 remains unmatched.
| WORLD CUP TOURNAMENT | RESULT | OPPOSITION |
| Russia - 2018 | 6-1 Win | Panama |
| Qatar - 2022 | 6-2 Win | Iran |
| England - 1966 | 4-2 Win | West Germany |
| Mexico - 1986 | 3-0 Win | Poland |
| Mexico - 1986 | 3-0 Win | Paraguay |
| Japan and South Korea - 2002 | 3-0 Win | Denmark |
England biggest wins in history
Six-goal games in back-to-back World Cups sets a new benchmark for consistency for England, however, both wins fall some way short of their overall win record.
An outrageous 13-0 thumping of Northern Ireland in 1882 remains as the record, followed by a 10-0 friendly win over the USA in 1964.
England's biggest winning margin in a competitive game did come under Southgate with a 10-0 victory in San Marino in 2021, including four goals for Harry Kane.
A strong start. 💪#ThreeLions | @GoogleCloud_UKI pic.twitter.com/Beq8P6AnKg
— England (@England) November 21, 2022
How many times have England scored six goals?
England have been no stranger to high scoring games in their history with the Three Lions managing double figures four times.
| OPPONENT | YEAR | RESULT | COMPETITION |
| Northern Ireland | 1882 | 13-0 | Friendly |
| Northern Ireland | 1898 | 13-2 | Friendly |
| USA | 1964 | 10-0 | Friendly |
| San Marino | 2021 | 10-0 | World Cup Qualifier |
| San Marino | 2013 | 8-0 | World Cup Qualifier |
| Montenegro | 2019 | 7-0 | European Championships Qualifier |
| Iran | 2022 | 6-2 | World Cup |
| Panama | 2018 | 6-1 | World Cup |
| Bulgaria | 2019 | 6-0 | European Championships Qualifier |
| San Marino | 2015 | 6-0 | European Championships Qualifier |
| Andorra | 2009 | 6-0 | World Cup Qualifier |
| Jamaica | 2006 | 6-0 | Friendly |
| Iceland | 2004 | 6-1 | Friendly |
England 2022 World Cup odds
Odds as of Nov.21
| Territory | Odds to win World Cup |
| U.S. (BetMGM) | +800 |
| U.K. (Sky Bet) | 7/1 |
| Canada (Sports Interaction) | 5.80 |
| Australia (Ladbrokes) | 8.00 |