England kicked off their UEFA Nations League (UNL) campaign with a 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in Dublin, marking their first UNL win since November 2020. Under interim manager Lee Carsley, England looked to secure a swift return to League A, and their intent was clear from the outset.
The Three Lions dominated from the first whistle, creating early chances. Harry Kane nearly opened the scoring when he headed over a dangerous cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold. England didn’t have to wait long for the breakthrough, as Declan Rice, one of two former Irish youth internationals now playing for England, fired a loose ball into the top corner from 12 yards.
England continued to press relentlessly, with Kane coming close again, only to be denied by a stunning point-blank save from Irish goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. England’s dominance paid off midway through the first half when another ex-Irish youth player, Jack Grealish, coolly finished a flowing team move to double the lead.
Ireland struggled to gain a foothold and suffered a setback when captain Seamus Coleman was forced off with an injury. However, they came close to pulling one back shortly after Coleman’s exit, as Chiedozie Ogbene’s clever play set up Sammie Szmodics, who narrowly missed the target.
The second half saw a noticeable drop in intensity from England, who introduced Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White for their full debuts. Despite the quieter period, England comfortably saw out the match, showcasing one of their most impressive first-half performances in recent years.
For Ireland, the defeat was a disappointing start to their UNL campaign, but they will look to bounce back in upcoming matches against Greece and Finland, where they hope to secure valuable points.
