Iran's forward #09 Mehdi Taremi (left) attempts to score past England's goalkeeper #01 Jordan Pickford during the World Cup Group B match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on Nov 21, 2022. (ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP)

DOHA - England got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start as they rattled in the goals past a shell-shocked Iran and cruised to an impressive 6-2 Group B victory on Monday in a timely return to form for Gareth Southgate's side.

England, semi-finalists in 2018, came into the tournament without a win in six games, but a dynamic opening 45 minutes in which Jude Bellingham scored his first England goal, Bukayo Saka doubled the lead and Raheem Sterling grabbed a third set up a second-half stroll

England, semi-finalists in 2018, came into the tournament without a win in six games, but a dynamic opening 45 minutes in which Jude Bellingham scored his first England goal, Bukayo Saka doubled the lead and Raheem Sterling grabbed a third set up a second-half stroll.

Saka's second goal allowed England to take their foot off the gas and opened the door for Iran to grab one back through Mehdi Taremi, before substitutes Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish rounded off England's scoring.

READ MORE: England romp to 3-0 halftime lead v Iran in Group B

Although Iran's Taremi grabbed another from the penalty spot in the 13th minute of stoppage time, bringing the total to an astonishing 26 minutes in both halves, England's work was done.

"We haven't played the best coming into the tournament. There was a lot of talk and speculation about our form but we showed everyone how much quality we have and what we can do," said Saka, whose last major tournament ended with him missing a penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout.

Yet England manager Gareth Southgate was not getting carried away.

"I'm a miserable so and so, I should be more excited but I've got to keep the team on the right track and we will have to be better," he said, grumbling about the two goals conceded.

Iran's Morteza Pouraliganji (right) kicks the ball past England's Bukayo Saka during the World Cup Group B match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, Nov 21, 2022. (ABBIE PARR / AP)

Rolls Royce

England's 19-year-old midfielder Bellingham purred like a Rolls-Royce in the engine room and his opening goal set England on their way at Khalifa International Stadium.

This AFP graphic dated Nov 14, 2022 shows the details of England's football team participating in the 2022 World Cup in Doha.

Timing his run perfectly, Bellingham rose to meet Luke Shaw's cross, and directed a looping header into the top corner in the 35th minute to become the first player born in or after 2000 to score at the World Cup.

Shaw was the provider again for England's second as his corner was headed back across the area by Harry Maguire to Saka, who volleyed home expertly.

England's Bukayo Saka (second right) celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's fourth goal against Iran during the World Cup Group B match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium, in Doha, Qatar, Nov 21, 2022. (MARTIN MEISSNER / AP)

The game was ended as a contest when Sterling added a third, finishing with the outside of his boot on the volley from Harry Kane's cross after Bellingham was again involved in the buildup.

England were not done, however, as Saka grabbed his second in the 62nd minute.

Sterling, whose place in the side had been under scrutiny following mixed form for Chelsea, turned in midfield and fed Saka, who jinked, before dropping his shoulder and calmly placing the ball into the bottom corner.

Iran pulled one back when Taremi smashed the ball into the top corner, but Rashford came on in a raft of England changes in the 70th minute and cut inside a defender before slotting his side's fifth moments later.

READ MORE: Kane in a hurry to surpass Rooney's England scoring record

Grealish turned in England's sixth from close range in the 90th minute after fellow substitute Callum Wilson's run and cross from the right, before Taremi's late spot-kick, given after a VAR review for a minor shirt pull.

England's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their first goal with Mason Mount during the World Cup Group B match between England and Iran at the Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar, Nov 21, 2022. (PAUL CHILDS / REUTERS)

"At the beginning it was clear the difference between high level competitive football... every single week and our players unfortunately they don't have the same experience," said Iran manager Carlos Queiroz.

His side face Wales on Friday when England take on the United States.