England secured their return to the top divisions in the Nations League as a second-half blitz helped them beat the Republic of Ireland in Lee Carsley’s final game as interim manager.

The Boys in Green frustrated the Three Lions for the opening 45 minutes but Liam Scales’ red card opened the door for the hosts, who struck three times in six minutes through Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher.

Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis later made it 5-0, inflicting further misery on the Irish.

Victory was still required to confirm top spot in Group 2 of League B despite beating Greece on Thursday. Their win over Finland meant little as England avoided getting involved in any play-offs in Thomas Tuchel’s first fixtures in charge at the start of 2025.

How the game unfolded

England brought Kane back into the starting lineup for Sunday’s clash at Wembley Stadium after the Bayern Munich striker was placed on the bench for the 3-0 win over Greece.

It was the Irish who enjoyed the majority of the first half, cheered on by a vast contingent of fans. While England asked a few probings questions that had to be answered, Heimir Hallgrimsson’s side were well organised and didn’t allow Anthony Gordon or Noni Madueke much space out wide.

While looking blunt in attack, nerves began to jangle in the home camp as Ireland started to show promise in attack. Watford’s Festy Ebosele showed expert footwork on the touchline and Evan Ferguson looked nimble in the box.

A relatively uninspiring opening 45 minutes ended with yellow cards for Kane and Jayson Mulumby for an ugly scuffle, with England sat in top spot of Group 2 with Finland and Greece’s encounter also goalless.

Ireland’s dogged work came undone at the start of the second half. Kane’s fizzed pass found Jude Bellingham, who was tripped up by Liam Scales in the box when cutting back towards goal. Having been booked for delaying the restart before half-time, the Celtic defender was dismissed with a second yellow card for the foul.

It was England’s captain who dispatched the penalty, stuttering and firing to Caoimhin Kelleher’s left, and only a few minutes later it was 2-0 and possibly game over for the Irish.

Tino Livramento scampered down the right and his deflected cross fell kindly for Gordon, who was in the right place to finish well and double the Three Lions’ advantage.

A positive opening period had truly come undone for Ireland. The Boys in Green had disrupted England’s rhythm and stopped them creating chances, but the player deficit proved a real disadvantage as they conceded a third goal in quick succession.

Madueke’s corner was flicked on by Marc Guehi and poked home on the line by Gallagher, who wheeled away to celebrate his first goal for his country. A video assistant referee check held up proceedings, but the strike was eventually confirmed.

Ireland tried to keep England at bay but it was a night of firsts at Wembley as Bowen joined Gordon and Gallagher in bagging for the first time at senior level. Just 30 seconds after his introduction as a substitute, a set-piece move arrived at the West Ham United forward’s feet and he made no mistake.

Harwood-Bellis had entered the fray for his debut just after the hour mark and it was the Southampton defender who made his mark next, throwing himself at Bellingham’s pinpoint cross to power a header past Kelleher.

That goal meant England boasted four first-time goalscorers at international level on the night and brought Carsley’s reign as interim boss to a positive conclusion, with new manager Tuchel now set to lead the team towards the 2026 World Cup.

GK: Jordan Pickford – 6/10 – Given little to do shot-stopping wise and managed to pick out some good long balls from the back.

RB: Tino Livramento – 7/10 – Created Gordon’s strike with some good running down the wing, though his cross was deflected to his Newcastle United teammate.

CB: Kyle Walker – 6/10 – Was again fielded in central defence and managed to use his pace effectively to quell any promising Irish attacks.

CB: Marc Guehi – 7/10 – Was well positioned throughout the night and bagged an assist with a flick towards Gallagher.

LB: Lewis Hall – 7/10 – Gave away possession a little sloppily at times but still tried to play the ball forward and helped advance play frequently.

CM: Conor Gallagher – 8/10 – Rarely misplaced the ball and won back possession often. A good midfield display topped off by his first England goal, reacting well to prod in from a corner.

CM: Curtis Jones – 7/10 – Neat, tidy and industrious in the middle of the park. Another strong display enhanced his England credentials going forward.

RW: Noni Madueke – 7/10 – Booked for a clumsy foul but gave Callum O’Dowda a tough evening with his dribbling and put in a few dangerous crosses.

AM: Jude Bellingham – 8/10 – Made some enterprising runs as he tried to get England’s attack moving. No goal arrived but he set up Bowen with a move straight off the training ground and then crossed perfectly for Harwood-Bellis.

LW: Anthony Gordon – 7/10 – Always looked to dart up and down the left-hand side and opened his England account with a well-taken finish.

ST: Harry Kane – 7/10 – Not always the most mobile but showed off his devilish passing range and was as dependable as ever to open the scoring from the penalty spot.

Substitutes

Taylor Harwood-Bellis (62′ for Walker) – 7/10 – Made a dream start to his Three Lions career with an awesome header and looked solid with Ireland well beaten.

Morgan Rogers (75′ for Gordon) – 6/10

Dominic Solanke (75′ for Gallagher) – 6/10

Jarrod Bowen (75′ for Madueke) – 7/10 – Got on the scoresheet with his first touch of the ball.

Angel Gomes (79′ for Jones) – 6/10

Subs not used: Dean Henderson (GK), James Trafford (GK), Jarell Quansah, Rico Lewis, Morgan Gibbs-White, Ollie Watkins.

Manager

Lee Carsley – 7/10 – Brought an end to his interim spell with a convincing win, though Ireland provided a number of obstacles during the first half. Will get to return to the Under-21s with Tuchel primed to take over.

Player of the match – Jude Bellingham (England)

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