It should be an interesting game, even if there’s not much on the line.
Ireland will finish third in their Nations League group regardless of what happens and face a two-legged promotion-relegation playoff against yet-to-be-confirmed opponents.
England need to match or better Greece’s result against Finland to top the group, so they at least have the pressure of potentially coming second and needing to compete in their playoff next Match.
England will be heavy favourites, having won the reverse fixture comfortably.
But Heimir Hallgrímsson has managed an unfancied team to a win over England before, so you never know.
4 hrs ago
4:12PM
Confirmation of the Ireland team below…
STARTING XI | England v Ireland
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
Just looking at results from earlier today, there are still a couple of games to be played, but it’s looking like these four teams will be Ireland’s potential playoff opponents in March: Slovakia, Kosovo, Bulgaria and Armenia.
Ireland's Sammie Szmodics pictured ahead of the game. Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
3 hrs ago
4:30PM
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
England (315)
Ireland (82)
Draw (43)
3 hrs ago
4:48PM
RTÉ’s Tony O’Donogue has suggested Nathan Collins will line up in front of the back four.
Some people had advocated playing the Brentford star in midfield ahead of the last England game.
If correct, it will likely mean a centre-back pairing of Liam Scales and debutant Mark McGuinness, with Dara O’Shea on the right and Callum O’Dowda at left-back.
That would leave a midfield of Jayson Molumby and Josh Cullen, with Festy Ebosele and Sammie Szmodics on either wing and Evan Ferguson on his own up front.
Kane sends Kelleher the wrong way from the penalty spot to give England the lead.
It stemmed from Ferguson giving the ball away. Kane then plays a brilliant crossfield ball to Bellingham who is clipped by Scales as he prepares to shoot on goal.
The Celtic star was already on a booking so it’s no surprise to see him sent off.
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As it happened: England v Ireland, Nations League
England 5-0 Ireland
Hello, and welcome to today’s liveblog.
It should be an interesting game, even if there’s not much on the line.
Ireland will finish third in their Nations League group regardless of what happens and face a two-legged promotion-relegation playoff against yet-to-be-confirmed opponents.
England need to match or better Greece’s result against Finland to top the group, so they at least have the pressure of potentially coming second and needing to compete in their playoff next Match.
England will be heavy favourites, having won the reverse fixture comfortably.
But Heimir Hallgrímsson has managed an unfancied team to a win over England before, so you never know.
Confirmation of the Ireland team below…
And here is the England team…
Just looking at results from earlier today, there are still a couple of games to be played, but it’s looking like these four teams will be Ireland’s potential playoff opponents in March: Slovakia, Kosovo, Bulgaria and Armenia.
Who do you think will win?
Poll Results:
RTÉ’s Tony O’Donogue has suggested Nathan Collins will line up in front of the back four.
Some people had advocated playing the Brentford star in midfield ahead of the last England game.
If correct, it will likely mean a centre-back pairing of Liam Scales and debutant Mark McGuinness, with Dara O’Shea on the right and Callum O’Dowda at left-back.
That would leave a midfield of Jayson Molumby and Josh Cullen, with Festy Ebosele and Sammie Szmodics on either wing and Evan Ferguson on his own up front.
We’re underway…
2 mins: Walker tries to play in Madueke down the right, but the pass is overhit.
Collins is playing in midfield as expected.
5 mins: Cullen loses the ball in a dangerous area.
Madueke goes on a mazy run down the right before Kelleher blocks his low shot.
Jones’ follow-up deflects wide.
From the ensuing corner, Walker heads over.
7 mins: As expected, Ireland have started very cautiously.
Nearly the entire opening seven minutes has been played in Ireland’s half.
As I type, though Ebosele goes on a purposeful run to relieve some pressure on Ireland before eventually losing it.
9 mins: A Gordon cross goes straight into Kelleher’s hands.
England are applying plenty of pressure but Ireland have dealt with it relatively well.
12 mins: Ireland are their own worst enemies at times.
Szmodics loses the ball cheaply as he tries to turn away from his man leading to another attack that ends with an England corner.
From the set piece, Walker gets his head to the ball but can’t get a proper connection on it.
Ireland went behind in the 11th minute in Dublin, so they are doing better here by comparison.
20 mins: England have had 67% possession so far.
However, most of it has been in front of Ireland with Lee Carsley’s men struggling to create clear-cut chances.
21 mins: Ebosele goes on an excellent run forward.
He eventually goes down near the box but the referee waves play on.
22 mins: Ferguson and Guehi go for the ball and the Irish striker goes down in the box.
Replays show the Brighton youngster’s jersey was continually being pulled but there’s no VAR check for a penalty.
29 mins: England continue to dominate possession but no sign of an opening.
But you suspect Ireland might tire eventually as they’re having to do so much work without the ball.
Here’s a look at that penalty shout…
33 mins: Concern for Ireland.
Sammie Szmodics takes an awkward fall seemingly without contact when running to win the ball and appears to be in pain.
36 mins: Bellingham balloons a shot over.
Looks like Szmodics is going to be okay to continue.
37 mins: A second penalty claim for Ireland that looks credible judging by replays.
Szmodics is through on goal and goes down under a challenge from an off-balance Walker but there is nothing given.
The officials seem reluctant to utilise VAR.
As I type, Kane takes a heavy touch and Scales comes in with a crunching challenge.
41 mins: Ireland break through O’Dowda, who is cynically taken out by Madueke.
Ireland have a free kick in a promising position.
44 mins: Madueke, Bellingham and Scales have all been booked in recent minutes.
Ireland are looking fairly comfortable as half-time approaches.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time…
45 mins: Yellow card for Harry Kane and Jayson Molumby.
The pair tussle off the ball and the Bayern Munich star shoves his opponent to the floor.
HALF-TIME: ENGLAND 0-0 IRELAND
Here’s a look at that second penalty claim…
So it’s been a pretty positive 45 minutes from an Irish perspective.
Heimir Hallgrímsson’s side have defended well and restricted their opponents to occasional half-chances.
The visitors also should have had at least one penalty, with Guehi pulling down Ferguson in the area.
For England, it has been reminiscent of several performances at the Euros, where they struggled for creativity against well-set-up teams.
You get the impression that in the second half, substitutions will be key.
Ireland have spent considerable energy chasing the ball so their players are bound to tire quicker.
The second half has begun…
48 mins: Kane hangs in a cross but O’Shea gets to the ball ahead of Gordon.
Ireland continue to look strong and disciplined defensively.
PENALTY TO ENGLAND AND RED CARD FOR LIAM SCALES!
ENGLAND 1-0 IRELAND (KANE 53)
Kane sends Kelleher the wrong way from the penalty spot to give England the lead.
It stemmed from Ferguson giving the ball away. Kane then plays a brilliant crossfield ball to Bellingham who is clipped by Scales as he prepares to shoot on goal.
The Celtic star was already on a booking so it’s no surprise to see him sent off.
ENGLAND 2-0 IRELAND (GORDON 56)
A cross is played in that Collins gets to but his attempted clearance deflects off Cullen and it falls for Gordon, who fires home on the volley.
You would imagine that’s game over.
ENGLAND 3-0 IRELAND (GALLAGHER 58)
Guehi wins a header from a corner ahead of Ferguson and Gallagher marginally beats the offside trap to convert at the far post.
Having looked so composed in the first half, Ireland have just completely collapsed since the break.
62 mins: England make the game’s first change.
Harwood-Bellis replaces Walker.
In recent years, conceding goals just after half-time has been a big problem for Ireland.
Tonight’s game is yet another example of that issue.
Here’s a look at the three goals in five minutes for England…
67 mins: Ireland make a triple change.
Ebosele, Ferguson and O’Dowda are off. Manning, Azaz and Parrott come on.
73 mins: England are in the ascendancy and are the only side offering an attacking threat.
You get the impression Ireland would be happy for the final whistle to sound now.
74 mins: England make three changes.
Solanke, Bowen and Rogers are on. Gordon, Madueke and Gallagher go off.
ENGLAND 4-0 IRELAND (BOWEN 76)
Bowen is left completely free on the edge of the area.
The set piece is played square to the West Ham star, who hammers it home with his first touch.
Ireland make a change, with Moran replacing Cullen.
79 mins: McGuinness makes a good interception to stop Solanke getting on the end of a low cross.
Gomes replaces Jones.
ENGLAND 5-0 IRELAND (HARWOOD-BELLIS 80)
Harwood-Bellis rises highest to head home an inch-perfect Bellingham cross.
It’s the Real Madrid star’s second assist of the game.
For Ireland, this second half has been as bad as the first period was good.
Here’s a look at the fourth and fifth goals…
86 mins: Ireland make a final change.
Szmodics replaces McAteer.
88 mins: Kelleher makes a save as Kane gets away from Collins before shooting low at goal.
Moments later, Kelleher keeps out Bowen’s shot from the edge of the area.
This game can’t end quickly enough for Ireland.
90 mins: Nathan Collins has been named man of the match by RTÉ.
That won’t be any consolation on a bad night for Ireland.
There will be three minutes of stoppage time…
90 mins: Bowen flashes a shot wide from the edge of the area.
Ireland look deflated and have wilted since that Scales red card.
FULL-TIME: ENGLAND 5-0 IRELAND
Right, that’s all from me for now.
Thanks for reading and commenting.
We’ll have more reaction to follow shortly.
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