England sealed promotion back to Uefa Nations League A in style on Sunday with a resounding 5-0 win over the Republic of Ireland.
The Three Lions’ win over Greece during the week meant another victory here would seal a return to the top, regardless of what happened in the group’s other game.
England struggled in what was a turgid first half, with some disciplined Irish defending frustrating the hosts.
However, the game flipped in the 51st minute when Liam Scales was shown a second yellow card for fouling Jude Bellingham and giving away a penalty.
Harry Kane dispatched the spot-kick and England ran riot from there, with 10-man Ireland unable to cope.
A quartet of first international goals from Anthony Gordon, Conor Gallagher, Jarrod Bowen and Taylor Harwood-Bellis sealed a devastating victory for England that’ll see them back among the elite in the next Uefa Nations League.
Read on for full England player ratings at Wembley.
England player ratings vs Ireland: Gallagher, Guehi, Bellingham shine
Jordan Pickford – 6/10 – Had precious little to do but mopped up when needed.
Tino Livramento – 7/10 – A lively evening down the right flank on his England debut. Provided the cross for Gordon’s goal but won’t get the assist because of the monumental mix-up in the Irish defence.
Kyle Walker – 7/10 – Filled in well at centre-back for just over an hour. The only criticism was the occasional drop-off in tempo with his passing, although Ireland made it hard to play through them until the red card.
Marc Guehi – 9/10 – Flicked the ball on for his fellow Chelsea academy graduate to net his first England goal. Shut down a few dangerous Irish breaks, especially in the first half. Guehi was England’s standout player at the most difficult points in the match.
Lewis Hall – 8/10 – Looks like he could be England’s starting left-back for years to come. Lively, energetic and defensively solid when required.
Conor Gallagher – 9/10 – Excellent on the ball, robust without it and helped himself to his first England goal.
Six minutes, three goals for England! ?
Conor Gallagher is the latest addition to England’s goalscoring charts ??#ITVFootball | #ENGIRL pic.twitter.com/admasQnMt4
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 17, 2024
Curtis Jones – 7/10 – Not quite as influential as he was against Greece, but was still clean and crisp with the ball. Very hard to dispossess with his agility and composure.
Noni Madueke – 8/10 – Decision-making leaves a little to be desired at times, but that will come with experience. Madueke still caused havoc for the Irish defence and created a match-high four chances.
Jude Bellingham – 9/10 – Won the penalty for the opener with a great bit of control in the box, drawing the foul, then assisted Bowen and Harwood-Bellis in style. Powered his way through midfield as always and stretched the game more than most. Always willing to take a risk.
Anthony Gordon – 8/10 – A little sluggish in the first half but burst into life after the break and took his goal brilliantly to get off the mark at international level.
What a moment for that young man!
Anthony Gordon scores his first England goal and makes it look so casual ?#ITVFootball | #ENGIRL pic.twitter.com/vpxvnSFjYZ
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 17, 2024
Harry Kane – 8/10 – A little like Gordon, Kane only got going in the second half. A sublime pass to find Bellingham in the build-up to the penalty, which he easily dispatched.
Jude Bellingham is brought down in the box by Liam Scales, who receives his second yellow and is off! ?
But, can we talk about that pass from Harry Kane? ???#ITVFootball | #ENGIRL pic.twitter.com/Wl6UL1G8l6
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 17, 2024
Substitutes:
Taylor Harwood-Bellis (62′, for name) – 8/10 – Marked his debut with a goal against his future father-in-law’s nation, which could make for an awkward conversation with Roy Keane. The cross from Bellingham was gorgeous.
Morgan Rogers (74′, for Gordon) – 6/10 – Lively without standing out too much.
Jarrod Bowen (74′, for Madueke) – 8/10 – Fired home a brilliant goal just moments after coming onto the pitch. Joins Gallagher, Gordon and Harwood-Bellis in opening his international account.
Jarrod Bowen:
Touches – 1
Goals – 1 #ITVFootball | #ENGIRL pic.twitter.com/KYYYvsCPmN— ITV Football (@itvfootball) November 17, 2024
Dominic Solanke (74′, for Gallagher) – 5/10 – Didn’t get into the game.
Angel Gomes (79′, for Jones) – 6/10 – 100% pass completion.
