England earned a promotion to the UEFA Nations League top tier after a dominant 5-0 win over Republic of Ireland. The game's first half, which ended goalless, surprisingly changed when Liam Scales downed Jude Bellingham to land a Harry Kane penalty for the Three Lions. Scales was sent off and Kane netted from the spot.
The game also saw four other players – Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallager, Jarrod Bowen, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis – register their first international goal for the Three Lions. The win meant England would return to the UEFA Nations League A as Lee Carsley wrapped up his stint as interim head coach.
How England vs Republic of Ireland Nations League Turned from a Goalless Half into a Goals’ Fest
England found the Irish defense difficult to break down in the first half, with the visitors seemingly deserving a penalty when Kyle Walker pulled down Sammie Szmodics. But the difficulty could only last till the break as the hosts finally broke the deadlock in a highly contrasting second half.
England scored three goals in five minutes after Liam Scales' red card. The hosts swiftly doubled their lead when Gordon volleyed home a cross from club-teammate Tino Livramento, before Conor Gallagher sent home a third from close range. Jared Bowen came off the bench to score with his first touch, putting the hosts further ahead, before Harwood-Bellis headed home the last goal to wrap up a memorable night for England.
Jude Bellingham would go home with the Player of the Match recognition, despite the team effort that spiraled into Sunday’s victory. The Real Madrid star appeared like the only player causing significant problems for large portions of the game as the visitors did well to clamp down England’s wingers.
A Bellingham strike looked bound for the back of the net against Greece when his strike crashed off the post and hit the goalkeeper before huddling in. The 21-year-old took the assist before landing two more assists at Wembley for Bowen and Harwood-Bellis' goals.
With the victory, former Ireland International Carsley would end his England assignment after taking over the reins as the FA found a successor to Gareth Southgate. Thomas Tuchel has a much easier task as England regains their League A spot with multiple fresh talent bolstering his squad depth. Carsley handed out eight debuts during the six games he managed, including Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Livramento.
Final Remarks
England returns to League A after a dominant 5-0 win over the Republic of Ireland. This came after a Scales' red card turned a goalless first half into a goals' deluge for the Three Lions.
Lee Carsley's final game saw a Harry Kane penalty and a first-time international goal for some players handing England a memorable night. However, Jude Bellingham's two assists and overall match performance would land him a Player of the Match Award.