TEHRAN, Nov. 12 (Xinhua) -- Iran beat Turkmenistan 3-1 in a 2018 World Cup Asian zone Group D qualifier in Tehran's Azadi Stadium on Thursday.

Morteza Pouraliganji opened the scoring for Iran with a header just seven minutes into the match.

In the 62nd minute, Turkmenistan defender Mekan Saparow equalized the score, but striker Saeid Ezzatollahi found the back of the net just two minutes later before midfielder Ashkan Dejagah made it 3-1 in the 83rd minute from the penalty spot.

Iran moved top of Group D with 11 points ahead of Oman on goal difference after five rounds of matches. Iran's next match is with Guam on Tuesday.

The eight group winners and four best runners-up will advance to the third round, which will eventually decide the four automatic qualifiers on the Asian side for Russia in 2018.