Jordan Pickford started and played the full 90 minutes for England on Monday afternoon as the Three Lions kick-started their 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar with an emphatic win.  

Gareth Southgate's men enjoyed a thumping 6-2 win over Iran in their opening fixture at Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, making them the early table-toppers in Group B.  

The victory looked all but sealed by half-time after Jude Bellingham headed home a Luke Shaw cross to hand England the lead in the 35th minute.  

A quick-fire double eight minutes later saw Bukayo Saka extend England’s advantage before Raheem Sterling grabbed the third shortly before the break.  

However, a goal-ladened second half followed. First, Saka grabbed his second of the game just after the hour mark before Iran pulled one back through Mehdi Taremi, costing Pickford what would have been his 22nd clean sheet for England. 

Southgate's men restored a four-goal cushion six minutes later when second-half substitute Marcus Rashford got himself on the scoresheet. Fellow late arrival Jack Grealish then grabbed a sixth in the dying minutes.  

The action wasn't over, though, and as the game entered stoppage time, Pickford was called upon and made a stunning fingertip save to push an effort from Iran's Sardar Azmoun onto the bar. 

However, Carlos Queiroz's side did manage to grab a second goal after being awarded a controversial penalty with what was pretty much the last kick of the game. 

Everton teammate Conor Coady was an unused substitute.

Pickford, Coady and their England teammates now turn their attention to Friday (GMT 7pm), when the Three Lions take on the USA in their second group stage clash at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor.  

Regular updates on how the Everton players fare in their respective World Cup fixtures will be provided on evertonfc.com and our social media channels.