England beat Republic of Ireland: Lee Carsley started his reign as England’s interim manager with a Uefa Nations League win against the Republic of Ireland, with Declan Rice and Jack Grealish both scoring against the country they used to represent.
Carsley, also a former player for the Irish Republic, is in charge of England for at least two games following Gareth Southgate’s departure after Euro 2024.
And he had a largely untroubled start as the Three Lions overcame a lively atmosphere at a sold-out stadium in Dublin.
Rice, who played three senior friendlies for the Republic of Ireland before switching allegiance in 2019, silenced the jeers from the home fans after firing home in the 11th minute when Harry Kane’s shot was blocked.
Rice chose not to celebrate, while Grealish, who represented Ireland at youth level, put his fingers in his ears after scoring on his return to the England side following his omission from Southgate’s Euro 2024 squad.
His goal followed a slick move in the 26th minute, with Rice providing the assist.
RelatedPosts
The Republic of Ireland had started well in Heimir Hallgrimsson’s first game as boss.
They were presented with a golden chance to open the scoring in the third minute but Jayson Molumby, who was unmarked, headed over from close range.
And Sammie Szmodics forced a save from Jordan Pickford before England moved through the gears to take command.
This England team looked refreshed and re-energised from the side that trooped wearily off the pitch in Berlin after losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain 55 days ago.
It was a highly satisfactory first game in charge for Carsley, who will look to build on this positive showing when Finland visit Wembley on Tuesday, with captain Kane expected to win his 100th cap.
Encouragement for England’s new era
This was England’s first game for eight years without Southgate in charge, following his resignation two days after defeat in this summer’s European Championship final.
Under-21 boss Carsley has been given the role on a temporary basis while the Football Association searches for a permanent successor, who will be charged with ending England men’s long wait for a major trophy.
You may be interested to read: “The End of an Era: Messi and Ronaldo Absent from 2024 Ballon d’Or Shortlist for the First Time in Over Two Decades”
Fans were craving exciting, attractive, front-foot football, and Carsley’s team delivered that in an absorbing first-half display that blew the Republic of Ireland away.
Trent Alexander-Arnold marked his return to the side after being dropped during Euro 2024 with a solid performance at right-back, while Anthony Gordon – limited to one late substitute appearance in Germany – looked threatening out wide.
There was a zip and a swagger to how England went about their business before half-time, and although they tailed off after the break, there were plenty of positives.
It was an indication of their control that they were able to send on Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes for their senior debuts.
The pre-match talk was dominated by headlines about Carsley not singing the national anthem, something he consistently not done either as a player for the Republic of Ireland or as coach of England Under-21s.
By the end, all that England fans were talking about was a highly promising performance.
Republic’s new boss can’t spring a shock
This was also a new start for the Republic of Ireland under Hallgrimsson, who was joint head coach of his native Iceland when they stunned England at Euro 2016.
He was looking to spring another shock to make it a day to remember for the passionate home fanbase in his first game since being appointed in July.
They started promisingly enough, but were undone by two goals in 15 minutes.
The Irish Republic ranked 58th in Fifa’s world rankings – 54 places below their opponents – dug deep in the second half and went close to scoring through Szmodics.
You may be interested to read: 33 years Kevin De Bruyne warns rivals that ‘hunger is still there’ as Man City look to extend reign
This was the Republic of Ireland’s first game for three months, but their next is against Greece in Dublin on Tuesday, and Hallgrimsson will hope his players can bounce back and secure the first win of his reign.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/
