Republic of Ireland vs England LIVE: Nations League result and final score as Lee Carsley makes winning start
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England: Declan Rice and Jack Grealish were unpopular goalscorers in Dublin in an impressive first-half display under Carsley
England made a winning start under interim boss Lee Carsley as Declan Rice and Jack Grealish scored against the Republic of Ireland in their Nations League opener in Dublin.
In England’s first match since the Euro 2024 final, marking the start of the new era after Gareth Southgate’s resignation, the Three Lions made a confident start in a fiery atmosphere and took a deserved lead through goals from players who made unpopular returns to the Aviva. Rice and Grealish, having represented Ireland at youth level, were booed by the home crowd but struck against them within the opening 26 minutes.
Grealish’s second goal, set up by Rice, came from a flowing England move that summed up their impressive first-half display under Carsley. However, England lost their rhythm after the break as Ireland grew into the contest, in what could have been a tribute act to some of Southgate’s former side’s performances at the recent European Championships.
The visitors, though, were largely untroubled by a limited Ireland side and there were opportunities for Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes to make their England debuts late on. Follow all the rection and analysis from England’s win over Republic of Ireland in the Nations League
ITV pundits react
On ITV, Roy Keane is a little more critical of England’s second-half performance, as he says that Ireland “were there for the taking”.
“England were dominant in the first half and we praised their decision-making, quality and movement,” he said.
“But I thought they were awful in the second half – they played within themselves, took too many touches, tried playing ‘Roy of the Rovers’ passes.
“As good as England were in the first half, I thought they were as bad in the second.
Keane adds that Carsley might be a little frustrated with the second half, but that he handled himself well overall.
Grealish and Rice speak to ITV
Unsurprisingly, Grealish and Rice are the two Three Lions players selected to speak to the media.
Grealish says that the reception was “what me and Declan expected”, adding that the duo “have nothing bad to say”.
“We both enjoyed our time [playing for Ireland] - I certainly did and I have a lot of Irish in my family, so there’s no bad blood whatsoever from my side,” he adds.
On his return to the side after sitting out Euro 2024, he says: “I need to start playing regularly, scoring goals, and that’s what I did today. I’m still not 100% fit but I’m getting there so from a personal point of view I’m happy.
“Going to the fans at the end and hearing them sing my name, there’s no better feeling than playing for England, everyone will say the same thing, especially in games like this when you know the whole nation is going to be watching.
“Over the summer, it was one of the worst summers of my life because you can’t not see everything that is happening in front of you. It was difficult but it’s given me something to bounce back.”
FT: Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
And here’s that brilliant team move to set up Grealish for the second.
England player ratings as Jack Grealish and Declan Rice shine to silence Ireland boos
Declan Rice and Jack Grealish returned to haunt the Republic of Ireland as England made a winning start under interim boss Lee Carsley in the Nations League in Dublin.
Rice and Grealish both represented Ireland at youth team level before making the decision to represent England at senior level - and were booed by the home supporters at the Aviva Stadium.
But both were on the scoresheet in an impressive first half under Carsley, as Rice opened the scoring and Grealish finished off a stylish move to mark his return to the England side.
The second half was less fluid from England but there were debuts for Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes in the second half as Carsley secured a winning start.
Here are how the England players rated from the 2-0 win in Dublin.
England player ratings as Jack Grealish and Declan Rice shine to silence Ireland boos
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England: Rice and Grealish silenced the boos as Lee Carsley made a winning start
FT: Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
Here’s England’s first goal, courtesy of Declan Rice.
ITV pundits react
Speaking on ITV at the conclusion of the match, Ian Wright says that “England took their foot off the gas a bit” in the second half.
“The way we started, the way we played, I thought we should have pressed it home a little bit more.
“I thought we would have played with the same intensity, see if we could get three or four, be more ruthless,” he added.
FT: Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
Plenty of encouraging signs for England and Lee Carsley. It was one-way stuff throughout the first half, and though they faced a couple of more difficult periods in the second half, there was never really any threat to their 2-0 lead.
The attacking display was brilliant in the first half, with plenty of invention, some great movement and two goals that showcased two different kinds of skill within the side.
It will be interesting to see what happens if and when Carsley can pick from a full-strength squad.
FULL-TIME! Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
95 mins
FULL-TIME! It’s a winning start for Lee Carsley as England close out the game to take home a win in his first match in charge.
A pleasing performance for Carsley, but things to work on after a second half performance that almost let the home side back into the game.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
94 mins
CLOSE! Saka at the centre of things again. He beats his man on the outside this time and cuts it back to bowen, but his shot is straight at Kelleher’s legs.
Moments later, Saka is played through on the wing by Gibbs-White, and he tries to bend it into the far corner, but Kelleher is equal to it again.
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