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?
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.
England’s highest scoring World Cup wins
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.
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.
England’s highest scoring performances
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
