One-time Irishmen Declan Rice and Jack Grealish returned to haunt their former nation as England's Lee Carsley era commenced with a deserved 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League.
The League B Group 2 showdown pitted together two coaches both making their managerial debuts, but newly-appointed Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrimsson experienced the true meaning of a baptism of fire, as Grealish and Rice's fitting first-half goals proved telling.
Two men who had represented Ireland at various levels - Rice even playing three senior friendlies in 2018 - Carsley had no qualms about starting both of them in a Dublin cauldron, and the interim manager's decision paid dividends to the maximum.
While the hosts got stuck in from the first whistle - much to the delight of the home crowd who jeered Grealish and Rice at every touch of the ball - England quickly overwhelmed Hallgrimsson's men as Rice lashed in an 11th-minute opener.
The Arsenal man - whose celebrations were limited to a wry smile - then turned provider for another pantomime villain in Grealish, who did not hold back his elation at scoring against his former nation following a scintillating Three Lions passing sequence.
At times, it felt like Carsley's men were taking part in a training match, as an Ireland side at sixes and sevens had no answers to their one-touch passing and could have easily been down by more at the half-time whistle.
The visitors' dominance waned a little around the hour mark, but Ireland's mini-resurgence was limited to a couple of off-target attempts, and Carsley also handed debuts to Morgan Gibbs-White and Angel Gomes as the clock ticked down.
Another injury to captain Seamus Coleman capped off a chastening evening for newly-appointed Ireland boss Hallgrimsson, but Carsley has done his chances of a permanent contract no harm whatsoever, even if his players could not maintain their first-half intensity for the full 90 minutes.
IRELAND VS. ENGLAND HIGHLIGHTS
Declan Rice goal vs. Ireland (11th min, Ireland 0-1 England)
On his return to the Aviva Stadium, Declan Rice fires @England ahead with a thumping strike 💥
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 7, 2024
Watch #IREvENG on @ITV pic.twitter.com/yoBbQiDITC
One of Ireland's old flames scores England's first goal of the Carsley era! Following a frenetic start to the game in which an energized Irish side made some promising forays forward, Rice hammers home the opener.
Trent Alexander-Arnold releases Anthony Gordon through the middle with a sensational pass, and even though Caoimhin Kelleher denies the Newcastle United man one-on-one, Gordon keeps the ball alive on the left.
The winger picks out Harry Kane, whose shot is blocked by Nathan Collins, but Rice arrives on the scene to curl home into the top corner with aplomb. No celebration from the Arsenal man, rather an apology of sorts!
Jack Grealish goal vs. Ireland (26th min, Ireland 0-2 England)
You couldn't write this...
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 7, 2024
Declan Rice finds Jack Grealish who scores for England against the Republic of Ireland 🏴🇮🇪#IREvENG pic.twitter.com/6nRvwuxMfX
A penny for the thoughts of every Irish fan inside the Aviva Stadium! Just 15 minutes after Rice's well-taken opener, another Ireland youth international returns to haunt the Boys in Green, as Grealish doubles the Three Lions' lead.
The build-up is nothing short of mesmerising, as Kobbie Mainoo, Rice and Bukayo Saka all exchange quick passes; the two Arsenal boys play a slick one-two on the edge of the box as Rice advances into the right-hand side of the area.
The scorer of the first cuts back for an unmarked Grealish, who hits his shot first time, and Kelleher can only stand and watch the winger's effort roll into the far corner. Rice refused to celebrate, but Grealish produces a classic leap and fist pump as he charges over to the jubilant away end!
MAN OF THE MATCH - DECLAN RICE
© Imago
Not even the most impassioned Ireland supporter can deny that Arsenal star Rice was the best player on the Dublin turf, as the 25-year-old ran the show with a thumping finish and on-the-money pass for Grealish's first-half effort.
Truly defining the term midfield maestro, Rice also succeeded with both of his dribble attempts, created three chances, completed 95% of his passes and put in three tackles in the Nations League victory, leaving the Boys in Green to rue what could have been.
IRELAND VS. ENGLAND MATCH STATS
Possession: Ireland 24%-76% England
Shots: Ireland 6-16 England
Shots on target: Ireland 1-9 England
Corners: Ireland 1-4 England
Fouls: Ireland 15-9 England
BEST STATS
6 - Declan Rice has scored at the Aviva Stadium six years and 97 days after making his only previous appearance there for Republic of Ireland against USA in June 2018. Awkward. pic.twitter.com/n00ghLcGuP
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 7, 2024
It's been 27 years...
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 7, 2024
Morgan Gibbs-White is the first Nottingham Forest player to play for England since Stuart Pearce in June 1997! pic.twitter.com/OGV20n4vl5
WHAT NEXT?
Already sitting pretty at the top of their Nations League group - at least until Greece and Finland's match later this evening concludes - England host the latter side at Wembley on Tuesday in Carsley's Wembley baptism.
Meanwhile, Hallgrimsson hopes to make it second time lucky in the Ireland hotseat on the same night, when the Boys in Green welcome the Greeks to their Dublin headquarters.
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