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England comfortably beat Iran 6-2 on the second day of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
The Three Lions looked supreme in their Group B opener at the Khalifa International Stadium, breezing past an Iran team that had been expected to hold strong in defence.
Anticipation over protest was high before kick-off.
Viewers waited to see if Iranian fans or players would protest in solidarity with ongoing anti-government demonstrations in Iran, or if England captain Harry Kane would wear the One Love armband FIFA had banned just hours earlier.
Kane conformed to the armband ban, but the England team did take the knee just before kickoff. Iran’s players opted not to sing their national anthem.
Their Group B counterparts USA and Wales face off at 10pm Doha time (7pm GMT).
Monday's games follow a mixed opening night for tournament host nation Qatar.
After a spectacular opening ceremony, Qatar lost 2-0 Ecuador in the tournament’s opening match at the Al Bayt Stadium.
It made The Maroon the first host nation ever to have lost their opening match at the World Cup.
Two of Qatar’s Group A counterparts, Senegal and the Netherlands, battled it out at the Al Thumama Stadium on Tuesday evening, with the Dutch team winning 2-0.