UEFA Nations League Report: Republic of Ireland 0 - 2 England

They say never go back, but Declan Rice and Jack Grealish returned to Dublin and gave a timely reminder of what the Republic of Ireland are missing as England cruised to victory at the Aviva Stadium.

In fact, Ireland are missing a lot more since the pair decided to swap green for white, and they were serenaded by the travelling English support at full-time.

Rice once said he had aspirations of becoming Ireland captain. Well, his international career will include one of the most famous goals at Lansdowne Road, no matter which country he plays for.

The game is gone if you can’t celebrate against your own country, however.

England’s second was a goal made in Abbotstown, as Rice squared to Grealish, who slotted home with ease to cap off a wonderful flowing move before making sure to revel in the celebrations.

Ireland won the anthems, despite the best efforts of Grealish and Rice, but on the pitch, it was a team continuously knocking on the door of lifting silverware at major tournaments versus a side who have only won two games in this competition and somehow avoided relegation to League C.

Amazingly, amidst all the furore over Rice, Grealish, and Carsley, it went under the radar that this was Heimir Hallgrímsson’s first game in charge of the Republic of Ireland.

An Icelandic miracle from 2016 was not forthcoming, and the former conqueror of England has a huge job on his hands to turn around the fortunes of an Irish side that will continue to suffer beatings unless morale improves.

Another Irishman, Lee Carsley, who won 40 caps for the boys in green, was also making his mark on the touchline. Although some may deem him unfit to lead the Three Lions due to his refusal to sing the national anthem, he made a good first impression.

Gareth Southgate’s rigid style was calling out for a Trent Alexander-Arnold and Anthony Gordon impact, and it’s clear to see the pair have a blossoming relationship. England’s Scouse connection could be something to watch out for.

An atmosphere fit to rival Germany in 2015 and France last year greeted the teams, and Ireland responded with a very aggressive start.

Hallgrímsson opted for a midfield pair of Jayson Molumby and Will Smallbone, and they were immediately snapping and snarling at ankles.

While the hosts were fired up, they lacked composure at both ends of the pitch. First, botching a counter-attack despite having a couple of chances to make a mark on England in the 10th minute.

Alexander-Arnold, in his usual right-back position, played a sensational quarterback-style ball that cut between Seamus Coleman and Nathan Collins, allowing Anthony Gordon to race through on goal.

Excellent blocks from Caoimhín Kelleher and Collins were in vain as the villain of the piece, Rice, rattled the top corner in the 11th minute with a slick side-footed effort on his first appearance at the Aviva since June 2018.

Ireland lost their way from there and were outplayed all over the park by Carsley’s side, who seem intent on prioritising freedom of expression over Southgate’s previously cautious child-lock style.

Grealish sucked the life out of the Aviva with a sensational second. A brilliant team move involving Mainoo, Rice, Saka, and Rice again saw the Manchester City man swoop a clinical reverse shot past Kelleher.

It could have been four or five by the interval, and a two-goal margin was a result for Ireland, who were indebted to Kelleher.

Ireland emerged from the half-time dressing rooms with their heads still bowed, and Gordon almost got in for a quick third as the life began to drain out of a sold-out Aviva.

Seamus Coleman had to be withdrawn just before the hour mark after an accidental collision with Harry Maguire, with his Everton teammate Jake O’Brien entering the fray.

Hallgrímsson’s side had a brief rally on the hour, but Sammie Szmodics curled wide of the post from a similar position to where Grealish had scored, before Szmodics teed up Molumby, who clumsily scooped over moments later.

Two big chances for Ireland, yet neither warmed the gloves of Jordan Pickford.

Grealish lapped up both the applause from the North Stand and the jeers from everywhere else as he was substituted, but the 19-time capped Irish underage international had run amok.

Had it not been for a number of saves from Kelleher in either half, the margin at full-time would have been greater.

England are as they should be—a class above the second tier of the Nations League. For Ireland, Tuesday’s home game against Greece will tell fans if this team is set for another campaign of trying to avoid the League C trapdoor, or if they can at least brighten a dismal record that stands at two wins in seventeen outings.

Rep. Of Ireland: Caoimhín Kelleher; Robbie Brady (Evan Ferguson 82), Séamus Coleman (Jake O'Brien 57), Nathan Collins, Dara O'Shea; Matthew Doherty (Jason Knight 57), Jayson Molumby, Will Smallbone (Alan Browne 74), Sammie Szmodics; Adam Idah (Kasey McAteer 75), Chiedozie Ogbene.

Subs not used: Mark Travers, Max O'Leary, Andrew Omobamidele, Liam Scales, Callum O'Dowda, Troy Parrott, Callum Robinson. 

Booked: Jayson Molumby (64), Robbie Brady (68), Jake O'Brien (76). 

England: Jordan Pickford; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Addji Guéhi, Harry Maguire (John Stones 83), Levi Samuels Colwill; Anthony Gordon (Eberechi Eze 77), Jack Grealish (Morgan Gibbs-White 77), Kobbie Mainoo (Adilson Abreu de Almeida Gomes 77), Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka; Harry Kane (Jarrod Bowen 84).

Subs not used: Nicholas Pope, Dean Henderson, Valentino Livramento, Rico Lewis, Conor Gallagher, Chukwunonso Madueke, Ezri Konsa Ngoyo. 

Booked: Kobbie Mainoo (13), Levi Samuels Colwill (76). 

extratime.com Player of the Match: Caoimhin Kelleher (Ireland)