England turned on the style in the second half, sealing a dominant 5-0 victory over Ireland to ensure their return to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League, with Harry Kane orchestrating a clinical performance.
Also Read: UNL Match Report! England vs Ireland Match Updates, News and Scores (17th November, 2024)
The first half had been lackluster, but Kane’s brilliant pass unlocked the Irish defense, paving the way for a flurry of goals and an emphatic win.
Conor Gallagher and Jude Bellingham were outstanding, while Kane’s leadership and perfect penalty helped secure the promotion.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Jordan Pickford (5/10):
A relatively quiet night for Pickford, who wasn’t called into action often. He earned his 73rd cap, matching Gordon Banks’ tally.
Tino Livramento (6/10):
Made an encouraging debut with a few sloppy passes, but his positive attacking intent and assist for Anthony Gordon’s goal were standouts.
Kyle Walker (5/10):
Played more comfortably at center-back than in recent games at full-back. Walker was unlucky not to score after heading over from a corner.
Marc Guehi (6/10):
Was fortunate not to concede a penalty for a shirt pull on Evan Ferguson, but Guehi recovered well defensively, contributing to the build-up for Gallagher’s goal.
Lewis Hall (6/10):
A solid performance, showing his versatility in both defensive and attacking roles. Hall made an important recovery after Livramento’s mistake.
Midfield
Curtis Jones (6/10):
Didn’t dominate as he did on his debut but still displayed confidence and creativity, notably weaving past three Irish players on one run.
Conor Gallagher (7/10):
Aggressive and industrious throughout, Gallagher’s persistence paid off with his first international goal, rounding off a great team move.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Bellingham was everywhere, pulling the strings in midfield and winning the penalty that broke the deadlock. His assist for Taylor Harwood-Bellis’ goal further highlighted his all-around excellence.
Attack
Noni Madueke (7/10):
A constant threat on the left, Madueke twisted and turned Ireland’s defense with his pace and trickery.
Harry Kane (8/10):
Kane had a frustrating first half but was brilliant after the break, dropping deep to orchestrate play. His pass to release Bellingham was superb, and his cool penalty set the tone for the floodgates to open.
Anthony Gordon (7/10):
Initially quieter, Gordon grew into the game and scored a fantastic volley after a corner, marking his first international goal.
Subs & Manager
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (7/10):
An unforgettable debut for Harwood-Bellis, scoring in front of his future father-in-law, Roy Keane.
Morgan Rogers (5/10):
Had little time to influence the game after coming on.
Jarrod Bowen (7/10):
Bowen scored with a lovely finish just moments after coming on, marking an excellent impact off the bench.
Dominic Solanke (5/10):
Was unable to get involved in the goal rush during his time on the field.
Angel Gomes (5/10):
Looked comfortable with the ball, but his brief appearance was marred by a yellow card.
Lee Carsley (7/10):
The interim boss made effective changes after a lackluster first half, guiding England to a convincing win and ensuring promotion to the top tier in his final match in charge.
