By England delivered a dominant second-half performance to thrash a 10-man Republic of Ireland 5-0 at Wembley, securing promotion back to League A of the UEFA Nations League. The victory marked a triumphant end to Lee Carsley’s tenure as interim manager.
Second-half goals from Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis sealed the emphatic win after Ireland’s Liam Scales was sent off for a second yellow card early in the half. Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Scales fouled Jude Bellingham, earning his 69th international goal. Gordon and Gallagher then struck in quick succession, followed by Bowen and Harwood-Bellis, who both netted their first international goals.
Ireland initially frustrated England in a tense first half, maintaining defensive discipline despite England enjoying 75% possession. However, the visitors’ resistance crumbled after the break, with England’s relentless attack exploiting their numerical advantage.
Speaking after the match, Carsley expressed pride in his team’s performance and attacking style, emphasizing the importance of securing promotion. “I wanted the England team to be exciting to watch, and people have now seen that,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrimsson described the defeat as “embarrassing,” lamenting a six-minute spell of “madness” that saw his team concede three goals and lose a player.
The win propels England into Pot 1 for the upcoming World Cup qualifying draw on December 13, alongside other top-ranked teams. England now turn their focus to preparations for the next major international competitions.
