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
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
72 mins
England’s attacking has been a lot less fluid in this half. An example has just been on show, with Rice and Saka leading a charge forward but with little support as they’re forced to exchange passes between them, before the ball is recycled back to the centre-backs.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
70 mins
A dangerous Ireland free-kick ends with a poor cross from Ogbene, and England counter. Gordon drives towards the box, but he loses out to Knight.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
68 mins
Rice’s pressure forces Ireland into giving up possession near their own box, and Saka collects. He shifts it wide to Grealish, who slips it to Gordon, and the Newcastle man’s shot is straight at Kelleher.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
66 mins
Brady is the next player to be booked after taking Saka down. Alexander-Arnold delivers the free-kick, but it’s caught by Kelleher.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
63 mins
Ireland’s best spell of the match as their pressure forces Alexander-Arnold into giving the ball away in his own box, but Szmodics can’t make the most of it.
Molumby is booked for dragging down Grealish.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
61 mins
Ogbene has dropped to right wing-back here, so Gordon might not get the same level of joy as he was getting in the first half.
Ireland create another chance as they win the ball near the England box, before Szmodics cuts it back, but again the shot is high and wide.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
59 mins
CLOSE!
Ireland’s best chance of the match as the diagonal ball is played over to Ogbene on the right. His cutback finds Szmodics in the box, but the Ipswich man fires wide of the near post!
Encouraging signs though, for the home fans.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
57 mins
Coleman spent a long time on the floor there and it looks like he’s having to come off. He’s replaced by Jake O’Brien.
Jason Knight also comes on, for Doherty.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
54 mins
Saka wins a corner and then takes it, with his delivery cleared. Seamus Coleman has stayed down in the box, with his left boot on the floor.
Republic of Ireland 0-2 England
52 mins
Alexander-Arnold swings in a dangerous free-kick that Maguire heads back across goal, but it’s cleared. Ireland get rid of it, but it’s straight back to the England defenders.
Ireland are flagging now, as the pass forward to Szmodics runs straight out of play.
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