New Delhi: England got off to a strong start in their Nations League campaign, beating the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Dublin. It was Lee Carsley’s first game as England’s interim manager, and his team gave him a solid win. Declan Rice and Jack Grealish, both former Ireland players, were targeted by the home fans, but their first-half goals made the difference.
Although Ireland put up a fight, they couldn’t match England’s quality, and the Three Lions secured a comfortable victory. The second half wasn’t as intense, but Carsley’s side had already done enough to ensure the win, giving him a good start in his bid to become the permanent manager.
1. Rice and Grealish displayed a much needed confidence
Jack Grealish 🫶 pic.twitter.com/zSwy5EZF9s
— England (@England) September 7, 2024
From the moment their names were announced, Declan Rice and Jack Grealish were booed by the Irish crowd. Both players had once represented Ireland at youth levels, and Rice had even played for their senior team in friendlies. The fans clearly hadn’t forgotten. Despite this, the pair remained calm.
Rice opened the scoring in the 11th minute, smashing the ball into the net after a loose ball fell to him. He kept his celebration low-key, aware of the emotions surrounding the game. Grealish, however, was more expressive when he scored England’s second goal after a slick passing move. He celebrated with the England fans, showing he was proud to wear the Three Lions shirt.
2. England dominated the first half
England controlled the game from the start, with their fast passing and movement causing Ireland problems. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s clever passes from a midfield position helped create chances for Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon early on.
It was Rice who broke the deadlock with a powerful finish, and Grealish soon added a second after linking up with Bukayo Saka and Rice. England’s passing was sharp, and they could have scored more if not for some good saves by Irish goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher. By half-time, England were comfortably ahead, and it looked like Ireland had no answer to their quality.
3. A quieter second half for England
🚨🚨| England have won an away game against the Republic of Ireland for the FIRST time since 24 May 1964.
[@BBCMOTD] pic.twitter.com/Pu3ceXfJbX
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) September 7, 2024
After such a strong first half, England slowed down a bit after the break. The game became more relaxed, with Ireland struggling to create any real chances. Although they tried to push forward, England’s defence stayed solid. Carsley made some late substitutions, giving debuts to Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Jack Grealish received applause from the England fans as he left the pitch, after a good performance. England could have scored more, but Kelleher made a few important saves to keep the score at 2-0. In the end, it was a comfortable win for Carsley in his first match in charge, and his team showed they could perform well under his leadership.
England dominated the first half under Lee Carsley, securing a 2-0 win in the Nations League opener. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
