Iran's campaign suffered a setback when Team Melli lost back-to-back matches to Bahrain and Iraq, leaving them third in the Group C standings, although they have a match in hand.

Skocic, 51, relinquished his post as head coach of Iran Pro League side Sanat Naft on Tuesday to take charge of Iran.

Going into the match, the two sides were separated by a single point at the summit of Group C, with Iraq leading the standings with seven points.

But Bahrain’s goalless draw in Hong Kong meant whichever side that won the tie would earn the top spot by the end of matchday.

The first chance of a cagey opening period came the visitors’ way as Ehsan Hajsafi charged into the Bahraini penalty box, getting on the end of a Mehdi Taremi lobbed pass and firing low from a narrow angle, but the Iran skipper watched his shot crawl wide off the upright.

Team Melli dominated possession, but it was the home side that had clear-cut chances. Ahmed Bughammar came close at the half-hour mark. The centre-back was first to meet Sayed Dhiya’s in-swinging corner, but he could not direct his header towards the target.

Karim Ansarifard scored four and Sardar Azmoun a hat-trick on a historic day for Iranian football, as Asia's top ranked side's show of classy football was also watched by female fans at the iconic Azadi Stadium - for the first time in 40 years - with thousands in the stands.

Mehdi Taremi and Mohammad Mohebi registered braces while Ahmad Noorollahi, Hossein Kanaani and Mehrdad Mohammadi scored one each as Iran secured their second consecutive win, having opened their campaign to qualify for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 with a 2-0 triumph over Hong Kong last month.

Azmoun gave Marc Wilmots’ side the lead in the 23rd minute and Ansarifard put the result beyond doubt for the Iranians nine minutes into the second half as the West Asians started life in Group C with all three points.

Japan, who overtook Islamic Republic of Iran for top spot in last month's Rankings, maintained their position at 28th, with the Central Asians also unchanged at 33rd.

Korea Republic moved a rung up to 40th in third, while Australia maintained 42nd spot.