England secured promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League with a 5-0 romp over 10-man Ireland in interim manager Lee Carsley's last game in charge at Wembley on Sunday.
After a turgid first half, Harry Kane's penalty, Anthony Gordon's volley and a tap-in by Conor Gallagher in the space of five minutes at the start of the second broke Ireland's resolve. Jarrod Bowen made it 4-0 with a crisp shot from the edge of the area, his first touch after coming off the bench, before debutant Taylor Harwood-Bellis headed England's fifth.
Ireland played virtually the whole of the second half with 10 men after Liam Scales was sent off for a foul on Jude Bellingham that resulted in England's penalty. England finished top of Group B2 with 15 points from six games, the same as Greece, but have avoided a promotion play-off ahead of new manager Thomas Tuchel’s arrival in January.
England vs Ireland latest
- GOAL! Debutant Harwood-Bellis heads home
- GOAL! Bowen scores three seconds after coming on
- GOAL! Gallagher scores England's third goal inside six minutes.
- GOAL! Gordon sweeps home first Three Lions goal
- GOAL! Kane fires home from penalty spot
Player ratings
19:00 , Alex YoungYou can read Dom Smith’s player ratings here.
Full-time!
18:52 , Alex Young94min: There’s the whistle! Carsley completes the job.
93min: Into the final minute of injury time and Carsley has a big smile on his face.
91min: Kane almost puts it on a plate for Solanke, but Kelleher again reacted quickly to smother.
89min: Kane and Bowen denied by great reaction saves from Kelleher.
87min: Szmodics is replaced by McAteer.
84min: England aren’t done yet, players queuing cut and you can’t blame them.
GOAL!
18:39 , Alex Young80min: Harwood-Bellis gets in on the act, scoring his first ever England goal on his debut!
A towering header, beating two Ireland defenders.
78min: Solanke almost gets in on the act, but Ireland beat him to the ball to give away a corner.
77min: Bowen had only been on the pitch for three seconds!
GOAL!
18:35 , Alex Young76min: Oh my, Bowen fires home with his first touch!
He drills a shot through a crowded penalty area for his first England goal!
75min: Triple change for England.
Gordon, Madueke and Gallagher are off, Bowen, Solanke and Rogers are on.
72min: Kane almost carves open some space inside the area but he dispossessed smartly as he looks to pull the trigger.
Solanke is warming up.
69min: Half a sight of goal for Bellingham as he tries to get on the end of Jones’ low, whipped cross into the centre.
68min: Manning’s first involvement is to stop Madueke down the flank, and he just about does it.
Dom Smith at Wembley
18:25 , Alex YoungA raft of changes for Ireland suggests they know they are beaten now. England have just been too strong and clinical in this second half.
This will be a pleasing end to Lee Carsley's six-game reign.
62min: Harwood-Bellis is on for his debut, replacing Walker.
What a moment for the youngster.
61min: England have timed their three goals perfectly as Greece are leading 2-0 at Finland.
Top spot in the group/league is England’s, baring a historic collapse.
GOAL!
18:18 , Alex Young59min: Floodgates have officially opened!
A stunning eight-minute spell for England as Gallagher prods home at the back post after Guehi flicks on the corner.
Also a first England goal for Gallagher!
57min: A first ever England goal for Gordon, and made by his Newcastle team-mate.
GOAL!
18:14 , Alex Young56min: That should be that!
Gordon sweeps home at the back post after Livramento’s cross is not cleared!
54min: Ireland simply have to abandon their five-man defence now.
It’s all coming up England now.
ENGLAND GOAL!
18:11 , Alex Young53min: Kane steps up and makes no mistake, sending Kelleher the wrong way.
PENALTY!
18:11 , Alex Young51min: Penalty to England! Scales tripes Bellingham and the Ireland centre-back is shown a second yellow card to be sent off.
51min: Ireland continue to keep their shape so well.
48min: Better from England as Kane takes the ball on the turn inside the area and stands up a cross for Gordon to meet, but O’Shea does well to head it clear.
47min: Livramento straight on the attack and curls a super cross into the area towards Kane, but the captain can’t quite stretch enough to meet it.
Second half!
18:03 , Alex Young46min: Back underway.
Any changes at the break for Carsley. He’s never gonna get another opportunity to do so...
Dan Kilpatrick at Wembley
17:55 , Alex YoungThat appeared to be an indication of Kane's frustration as he wrestled Molumby to the ground on the stroke of half-time.
The England captain has struggled to get in the game but he is not the only one. This is very much a bore draw so far.
Still no shot on target as the Three Lions look for the win to avoid a promotion play-off.
It's getting a bit feisty - and frustrated - out there. Bellingham, Kane and Madueke all booked.
Half-time
17:49 , Alex Young49min: There’s the break!
48min: It’s all getting a bit feisty as we approach half-time as Kane throws Molumby to the ground as the pair clash at a goal kick.
Both are booked.
45min: Three minutes added on.
43min: Ireland float in the free kick from out wide and a few rounds of head tennis follows before the referee blows for a foul for England.
Scales is booked for delaying the restart.
41min: Madueke gets booked for a late challenge deep in the England half.
Bellingham also got booked in the aftermatch, which means he is suspended for the next game.
39min: Scales absolutely wipes out Kane, who wasn’t paying enough attention while trotting into the Irish half.
Big cheers from the away end.
37min: Shouts for an Ireland penalty as Szmodics goes down under pressure from Walker as Pickford smothers the ball, but it’s a slip by the latter and not a spot kick.
Dan Kilpatrick at Wembley
17:37 , Alex YoungMadueke has been involved in most of England's brightest moments so far, which admittedly isn't saying a great deal.
The Chelsea winger has looked comfortable in an England shirt from the moment he made his debut against Finland in October and I suspect he will be one of Carsley's debutants interesting Tuchel.
36min: Play back underway as Bellingham swings a leg at a half-volley, and Szmodics is back on.
34min: Thankfully, it looks like Szmodics may be OK.
33min: Uh oh, this looks bad as Szmodics hits the deck under little, if any, contact. Medics are on.
Malik Ouzia at Wembley
17:32 , Alex YoungJude Bellingham’s spent a lot of time sliding around, stretching for things.
A decent metaphor for England’s performance - just reaching for something that’s not quite there yet.
31min: Bellingham and Madueke with a smart one-two, which sees the former put a little too much spice on the return for the latter as the ball spins behind the goal.
30min: Cries for a penalty from Madueke as his shot is blocked inside the area, but no one else seems bothered - least of all the referee.
Dom Smith at Wembley
17:30 , Alex YoungThis is where England need to remain patient. Half an hour gone of a match they have utterly dominated. They must keep coming at Ireland, who have so far defended resolutely.
27min: Great low ball from Gordon is hacked clear from inside the six-yard box.
It’s starting to feel like ‘only-a-matter-of-time’ territory.
26min: Jones is really enjoying his opportunities in this break. He’s just done his best Bellingham impression by surging through the Irish midfield before finding a team-mate in the final third.
Good player.
21min: Kane is asked to run down a long ball over the top and, well, that’s just not happening.
20min: A great drive into the area by Bellingham looks to drag Irish shirts out of possession, before a backheel to Gordon appears to open up space for a cross but the midfielder opts to find a team-mate further back.
16min: England dominating possession and Ireland are still not doing too much to temper that.
As Dom predicted before the game, plenty of patience from the Three Lions.
13min: Corner comes in, and again Walker meets it but this time he gets it all round.
Dom Smith at Wembley
17:13 , Alex YoungThe chance in the end came to nothing, but Gallagher intercepting Szmodics high up the pitch there and showing exactly why he is in the team.
He has boundless energy levels, and hasn't stopped running so far this evening.
11min: Madueke is seeing plenty of the ball down the right, but this time opts to cut back and find a team-mate on the edge of the area. Bellingham picks it up, cuts onto his left and sees a shot charged down.
9min: After a slight delay, Gordon whips in the corner which is first headed away until the second attempt floats into Kelleher’s arms.
8min: Great ball in from Bellingham to Gordon into the area, who tries to cut inside onto his right but Collins boots clear to concede a corner.
Malik Ouzia at Wembley
17:07 , Alex YoungNot often Kyle Walker gets to go up for corners. He’s usually the man back on the counter.
Proper method acting stuff from him there, embracing the centre-half brief with a flying run across the near post and decent header.
5min: Walker climbs highest, and glances a header over.
That was close.
4min: First glimpse of goal for England as Madueke gets to the byline and fires in a ball, which is parried as far as Jones to try his luck... and wins a corner.
2min: England immediately sitting in and Ireland more than happy for them to have it.
Kick-off!
17:00 , Alex Young1min: Here we go!
Teams are out and the Irish are getting booed.
The players are in the tunnel while quite the light show is being played out for the crowd.
Lee Carsley has now spoken to ITV.
"We've seen the first game that they were very difficult to break down and the threat of the counter,” he said. “They are coming off the back of the win so hopefully we can break them down.
"Hopefully we have put ourselves in a good position now with the win the other night."
Right, both teams are back in their dressing rooms. Not long to go now.
One permanent manager who is at Wembley is Republic of Ireland’s Heimir Hallgrimsson.
He just spoke to ITV ahead of kick-off.
"I'm not so bothered about who is playing for England,” he said. “We know the depth of their squad, maybe they are more attacking than in Dublin and I like their players.
“They have better dribblers probably. England will always field a strong 11, no matter who is picked."
It’s interesting that incoming England manager Thomas Tuchel is not here.
He doesn’t start in the role until January, but this is the final time his new side play until March.
Is it about giving Carsley space? Should he be there?
Dom Smith at Wembley
16:36 , Alex YoungThe need to be patient this evening cannot be overestimated for England.
The visitors look set to line up with a back five and seek to frustrate Lee Carsley's side.
England must rotate play at pace with decisive passing, and eventually they should be good enough to force their way through.
For Carsley, he ends his interim spell where he began - against Ireland.
Grealish and Rice scored both goals in a routine 2-0 win in September, but neither feature today.
Malik Ouzia at Wembley
16:23 , Alex YoungA big opportunity for Lewis Hall this evening.
There are quite a lot of players in this line-up who are, realistically, place-holders for established starters. Think of Noni Madueke for Bukayo Saka, Conor Gallagher for Declan Rice or Tino Livramento for one of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kyle Walker.
Hall’s situation is different - England, given you cannot rely on Luke Shaw’s fitness, do not have an incumbent left-back.
Malik and Dom on team news
16:17 , Alex YoungHere they are.
"Hall has got a genuine shot of making something stick at left-back."
— Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 17, 2024
Here's @MalikOuzia_ and @MrDomSmith at Wembley.#ENGIRE | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/mbeFmYS2TD
It’s three changes apiece at Wembley.
Livramento is handed an England debut at right-back, with Newcastle team-mate Hall making his first start at left-back. Walker moves to centre-back.
For Ireland, McGuinness makes his debut.
Team news in full
15:58 , Alex YoungEngland XI: Pickford; Livramento, Walker, Guehi, Hall; Gallagher, Jones; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Subs: Henderson, Trafford, Lewis, Gibbs-White, Angel, Quansah, Hardwood-Bellis, Watkins, Rogers, Bowen, Solanke
Ireland XI: Kelleher; Ebosele, Collins, O'Shea, Scales, O'Dowda; McGuinness, Cullen, Molumby, Szmodics, Ferguson
Subs: Travers, O'Leary, Doherty, Manning, O'Brien, Moran, Coventry, Azaz, McAteer, Johnston, Parrott, Cannon
Ireland XI
15:54 , Alex Young...and the visitors!
STARTING XI | England v Ireland
— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) November 17, 2024
Mark McGuinness comes into the side to make his Ireland debut as Dara O'Shea also comes into the starting line-up 💚
Jayson Molumby replaces Jason Knight with kick-off at 5pm at Wembley today 🇮🇪 pic.twitter.com/Me8CvEMoq5
England XI
15:47 , Alex YoungHere it is!
Your #ThreeLions XI! 🏴 pic.twitter.com/at8V2oUzYX
— England (@England) November 17, 2024
Team news isn’t far off.
Fans are arriving. About 90 minutes until kick-off.
Head to head
15:25 , Alex YoungEngland beat Ireland in Dublin 2-0 in September, with Declan Rice and Jack Grealish both scoring against the country they could have represented.
Overall the Three Lions have a strong recent record against the Irish, having not lost to them since 1988.
England wins: 7
Draws: 8
Ireland wins: 2
Score prediction
15:17 , Alex YoungCarsley should get the sign-off his desires with a home win for England, as the loss of talent through injuries is offset by the incentive of impressing for players who might not have got the chance otherwise.
England were clinical in their 3-0 win over Greece - riding out some difficult moments and taking their chances well - and we expect them to have too much for the Irish.
Ireland will feel they have a great opportunity to upset their nearby rivals on the road, but despite Troy Parrott’s recent run of goals and Evan Ferguson’s endeavour up front they may fall just short.
England to win, 2-1.
Dom Smith arrives
15:08One of three Standard reporters at Wembley today.
The end of the Lee Carsley mini-era pic.twitter.com/cPFjTYzC5w
— Dom Smith (@MrDomSmith) November 17, 2024
Predicted XIs
14:59 , Alex YoungEngland predicted XI: Pickford; Lewis, Walker, Guehi, Hall; Gallagher, Jones; Madueke, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Ireland predicted XI: Kelleher; Doherty, Collins, Scales, O'Dowda; McAteer, Cullen, Molumby, Johnston; Parrott, Ferguson
England team news
14:47 , Alex YoungHarry Kane will return to the England starting line-up tonight.
Ollie Watkins started Thursday’s 3-0 win in Greece but Kane has been recalled by Lee Carsley for his final game as interim head coach.
Kyle Walker could play at centre-back alongside Marc Guehi, with Rico Lewis at right-back and Lewis Hall in line to make his first England start at left-back.
Curtis Jones is set to continue in midfield with Conor Gallagher after his impressive display against Greece.
Noni Madueke, Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon are set to line up behind Kane, with England knowing victory over Ireland will seal promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League.
Ezri Konsa has pulled out of the England squad and returned to Aston Villa due to injury.
Uncapped quartet Tino Livramento, James Trafford, Jarell Quansah and Taylor Harwood-Bellis will hope make their England debuts off the bench.
Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Cole Palmer were among eight players to withdrawn from the England squad before the Greece game.
How to watch for free
14:38 , Alex YoungTV channel: The game will be broadcast for free on ITV 1. Coverage starts at 4pm GMT ahead of a 5pm kick-off at Wembley.
Live stream: ITVX, which is free with a subscription, will offer a live stream.
Good afternoon!
14:32 , Giuseppe MuroHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of England vs Ireland!
England are out to end 2024 on a high in Lee Carsley’s final game as interim head coach before Thomas Tuchel takes over in January.
Victory against the Irish will mean England secure promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League and avoid a disruptive play-off in March, so there is a lot at stake at Wembley.
We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5pm GMT!
