Iran beat China 3-0 at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Thursday to book an Asian Cup semi-final berth against Japan. The three-time tournament winners went ahead after 18 minutes through Mehdi Taremi. Sardar Azmoun doubled Iran's lead after 31 minutes when he rounded the China goalkeeper, and a check from the VAR ruling there was no offside. Nottingham Forest forward Karim Ansarifard sent on for the closing stages, added a third with a low shot from the edge of the penalty area.