Rice and Grealish on target as England cruise past Republic of Ireland

England made a winning start to Lee Carsley’s reign after a routine 2-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland in their Nations League opener.

First-half goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish gave The Three Lions maximum points in the League B Group 2 encounter.

The Irish were also beginning life under a new boss in Heimir Hallgrimsson and they had the first opportunity at the Aviva Stadium, with Jayson Molumby sending a free header over from close range.

Harry Kane also headed over at the other end before England broke through in the 12th minute. The visitors maintained the pressure after Caoimhin Kelleher denied Anthony Gordon and the ball broke kindly for Rice, who fired a superb first-time shot into the roof of the net.

Kane went close again before The Three Lions doubled their lead on 26 minutes following a wonderful one-touch move that culminated in Rice pulling the ball back for Grealish, who neatly steered past a flat-footed Kelleher.

Sammie Szmodics flashed a shot wide of Jordan Pickford’s left post just before the hour mark, but it was England who went closer to increasing their advantage during a more low-key second half.

The Irish had Kelleher to thank for keeping out Jarrod Bowen and Bukayo Saka to prevent Carsley’s side from adding further gloss to a comfortable win.

England began life after Gareth Southgate just 55 days on from their Euro 2024 final heartbreak.

Six who started that fateful night in Berlin were in from the off under the interim boss, whose mark was already evident with The Three Lions bright and positive in their play.

The goals came from the two players who came under the most scrutiny from the home fans due to their Irish connections.

It was Rice, who earned three senior caps for the Republic, who broke the deadlock, before former Irish youth international Grealish gave the visitors breathing space.

While England are fresh from reaching a second successive European Championship final, it was their style that came into question towards the end of Southgate’s reign.

Carsley will hope to see more of what his new side produced during the first half if he is to be a contender to fill the vacancy on a full-time basis.

It seemed written in the stars for Rice to make a significant impact on his return to Ireland.

After receiving a frosty reception from the home fans, he silenced those jeers with a superb first-time finish to break the deadlock. He was then involved in a couple of neat one-twos before setting up Grealish for the second goal.

That was one of a game-high three chances he created, while he also led the way with the most completed passes (88) and joint-most tackles (three) over the 90 minutes.

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher 7, Coleman 6, Collins 6, O’Shea 6, Brady 6, Doherty 6, Molumby 7, Smallbone 6, Szmodics 7, Ogbene 7, Idah 6. Subs: Knight 6, O’Brien 6, Browne 6, McAteer 6, Ferguson 6.

England: Pickford 7, Alexander-Arnold 8, Maguire 7, Guehi 7, Colwill 7, Mainoo 7, Rice 9*, Grealish 8, Saka 8, Kane 7, Gordon 8. Subs: Gibbs-White 6, Gomes 6, Eze 6, Stones N/A, Bowen 6.

7′ JUST OVER: After Gordon’s initial cross evades everybody, Alexander-Arnold keeps the attack alive. The Liverpool full-back’s centre is on the money as it finds an unmarked Kane, whose header flashes inches over Kelleher’s crossbar.

11′ GOAL!!! REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 0-1 ENGLAND (RICE): It was written in the stars! England counter with Alexander-Arnold putting Gordon in behind, but Kelleher denies the Newcastle United winger. The Three Lions keep the attack alive, though, and Kane’s effort is blocked straight into the path of the incoming Rice, who fires into the roof of the net. Stunning the Aviva Stadium into silence, he respectfully refuses to celebrate against the nation for whom he earned three senior caps.

15′ CHANCE: England have looked dangerous on the counter so far today. That is the case again as Gordon tears down the left flank before crossing for Kane, who is denied by Kelleher from point-blank range.

26′ GOAL!!! REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 0-2 ENGLAND (GREALISH): What a lovely goal! The Three Lions double their lead in sublime fashion. Superb one-touch football from England sees Rice exchange passes with Mainoo and Saka before pulling the ball back for Grealish, who neatly steers a first-time shot into Kelleher’s bottom-right corner.

59′ CLOSE: A tremendous switch of play finds Ogbene in space on the right flank. He cuts the ball back for Szmodics, whose first-time effort flashes just wide of Pickford’s left post.