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
GOAL! Republic of Ireland 0-1 England
12mins
GOAL! Out of nothing for England.
Right after that Szmodics chance, Alexander-Arnold picks up the ball in the England half and threads a superb long through ball between the Ireland centre-backs.
Gordon is on the end of it, and his shot is saved as he ran clean through. England collect it again though, and it’s played back into Kane, whose shot is blocked – but Declan Rice is following up to side-foot it into the top corner!
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England
10 mins
A great chance for Ireland as Grealish loses it on the wing and they break forward. It’s swept wide to Sammie Szmodics, but his shot is too close to Pickford.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England
9 mins
England are beginning to dominate possession now, though Ireland aren’t sitting off at all, with the midfield applying plenty of pressure in the press.
A spell of possession ends with Mainoo’s pass being cut out by Szmodics.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England
6 mins
Alexander-Arnold is already pushing into midfield whenever England have the ball. He picks up Gordon’s cross from the left and swings it straight back unto the box – he finds Kane, but he can only head over. The first chance for England though!
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England
4 mins
England try to get forward but Gordon fouls Seamus Coleman. Frantic at the start, as expected.
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England
2 mins
CLOSE! The corner comes in from Brady and it’s a good ball in which is knocked on to Molumby, who fires a header over while unmarked!
Republic of Ireland 0-0 England
1 min
Ireland win the first corner of the game, as Ogbene’s cross is put behind for a corner.
KICK-OFF! Republic of Ireland 0-0 England
The Three Lions get us underway in Dublin.
Why didn’t England manager Lee Carsey sing the national anthem?
A little explainer in case you missed the discussion/reaction/furore...
New interim England manager Lee Carsley has received plenty of media attention ahead of his first match in charge of the Three Lions, with plenty expected of him after his success at U21 level.
And despite catching the eye with his squad announcement at the end of August – having included four uncapped players – there were plenty of eyes on an altogether more trivial decision in the moments before kick-off in Dublin.
Carsley did not take part in the customary singing of the national anthem ahead of his first match in charge, having explained his reasoning in a previous press conference.
The 50-year-old – who represented Ireland as a player between 1997 and 2008, making 40 appearances – told the media that singing the anthems is “something that I have never done”, either as a player or during his time in charge of England’s youth sides. This comment drew criticism from various corners, with some asking whether he can realistically expect to be named as full-time manager if he does not sing the anthem.
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