Soccer Showdown – Nations League – Group Stage – England vs. Republic of Ireland – Wembley Stadium, London, UK – November 17, 2024: England’s Harry Kane aims for the net REUTERS/Dylan Martinez Purchase Licensing Rights
In an enthralling display at Wembley, England blazed their way back to the Nations League top tier, thrashing a 10-member Irish squad 5-0. This served as a fitting finale for the interim manager, Lee Carsley, as he bids his squad adieu on a high note.
The match began sluggishly, but once the second half rolled in, the dynamics shifted. Within the span of five heated minutes, Harry Kane nailed a penalty, Anthony Gordon delivered an impressive volley, and Conor Gallagher made a straightforward tap-in, effectively wearing down Ireland’s defenses.
Coming off the bench, Jarrod Bowen effortlessly scored at the edge of the area with his very first touch, making it 4-0. The icing on the cake? Newcomer Taylor Harwood-Bellis rising up to nod in England’s fifth goal.
Playing with just ten men for half the game after Liam Scales was dismissed for taking down Jude Bellingham, Ireland was fighting an uphill battle from then on.
Summing up Group B2, England triumphed on goal difference over Greece, occupying the top spot with 15 points accrued over six matches.
Now, Carsley prepares to hand the baton to Thomas Tuchel, bringing some key takeaways for the German to note when he assumes charge come January.
“It was a fantastic night for many players, but clinching promotion was what mattered most,” Carsley reflected. “I loved watching how the boys played, with conviction and purpose,” he added with a satisfied nod.
The scoring heroics, while expected from Kane as he marked his 69th goal for England, were shared by four others netting their inaugural international goals — a feat not achieved since 1930.
With numerous mainstays absent, Carsley entrusted Newcastle’s Tino Livramento with a debut cap, awarded a starting berth to Lewis Hall, his club teammate, and watched Southampton’s Harwood-Bellis relish his first senior appearance by scoring.
“A vital win for us, no doubt. It was a solid camp and challenging matches,” Kane stated. “Mission accomplished in Greece, and we followed suit here. The first half was dicey, but we kicked up some momentum for a strong finish,” England’s captain remarked.
“Thomas (Tuchel) has an array of players at his disposal. From budding talents stepping up to seasoned players currently sidelined, there’s a balanced mix,” Kane elaborated, looking towards the future.
Initially, an early Sunday night audience at Wembley had little to cheer for given the standoffish first half, with Ireland showing solid organization and neither side garnering shots on target.
The tides turned post-halftime, as Kane masterfully connected with Bellingham in the box. As Bellingham sought room past Scales, the Celtic defender’s misstep not only gave away a penalty but earned him another caution, with Kane converting seamlessly.
Ireland crumbled soon after. Gordon’s elegant volley doubled the host’s lead and Gallagher pounced in the aftermath of a flicked corner.
Punch after punch, Bowen’s decisive one-time finish and Harwood-Bellis’s impressive header brought Carsley’s overseeing chapter to a joyous finish.
Ireland’s head coach, Heimir Hallgrimsson, lamented his team’s second-half antics.
“We kind of just shook. Being away from the action, easy to criticize the lads, but it was a bonkers episode that shattered our spirit,” he mused. “Going 3-0 down to such a formidable side leaves little room for response,” he concluded with a sigh.
Reported by Martyn Herman; Editing by Toby Davis
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
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