Ireland 0-2 England: Player ratings as old faces return to haunt The Boys in Green | OneFootball

In a fixture laced with history and intrigue, the Republic of Ireland and England clashed in Dublin this afternoon, with both teams looking firmly to the future.

Both nations met with fresh faces at the helm, with Heimir Hallgrímsson taking charge of the hosts for the first time since his appointment in July, while interim Three Lions boss Lee Carsley sought victory to strengthen his chances of landing the job permanently.

This match in the UEFA Nations League was England’s first without Gareth Southgate — who resigned after the 2-1 defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final — presiding over them since September 2016.

Ironically, Birmingham-born Carsley played for the Republic of Ireland 40 times as a player, having qualified through his Irish grandmother. In an understandably emotionally charged affair, the last showdown having occurred nine years ago, England midfielder Declan Rice also played three senior games for Ireland — all friendlies — before switching allegiance in 2019, while Jack Grealish represented the Republic of Ireland at the youth level.

And it was the aforementioned pair that decided this latest chapter of the Anglo-Irish rivalry. Rice broke the deadlock before Grealish doubled England’s lead. Rice chose not to celebrate, while Grealish did so enthusiastically.

As the dust begins to settle, here’s how the players were rated at the Aviva Stadium:

Ireland

Caoimhín Kelleher – 6.5 – Liverpool’s backup goalkeeper notably made himself big to stop the England captain from doubling their lead after Rice put them in front, but it was another outing without a clean sheet.

Séamus Coleman – 6 – You can never question the Ireland captain’s heart. However, it’s fair to say that he’s entering the twilight of his career, and this performance was far from his best in a green shirt, especially when overloaded down the right flank with Gordon and Grealish in his vicinity. Coleman put in a credible effort, though, and led by example prior to coming off with an injury before the hour mark.

Dara O’Shea – 5 – Positioned on the left side of Ireland’s back three, which meant he often had to deal with a blistering Saka, there weren’t too many moments when he gave the Arsenal winger pause.

Nathan Collins – 5 – He did his utmost to marshal Ireland’s backline, but the quality and relentless nature of England’s attack proved too much to handle.

Matt Doherty – 5.5 – Made one darting run into England’s penalty area but ran into traffic, which proved to be his most significant contribution from an attacking perspective.

Will Smallbone – 5.5 – Reduced to chasing shadows once England gained control of the game, though popped up to see an effort go over the bar.

Jayson Molumby – 5 – Had a skirmish with Grealish before finding himself completely unmarked at the back post but heads over—the first real chance of the game.

Chiedozie Ogbene – 6.5 – Showed plenty of endeavour as Ireland’s outlet but often found himself isolated or surrounded by numerous England jerseys.And when he had teammates in front, his end product often let him down.

Sammie Szmodics – 6 – Has been in good Premier League form with Ipswich, and Szmodics was released down the left but saw a curling shot kept out by Pickford before picking up a yellow card. Shortly after the break, he had an even better chance when his effort went narrowly past the post.

Robbie Brady – 5.5 – Due to England’s stranglehold on possession, the full-back rarely found crossing opportunities. After colliding with Saka late in the first half, he avoided a yellow card but wasn’t afforded the same luck midway through the second half.

Adam Idah – 5 – Feeding off scraps, headed well wide after a cross from Ogbene in the 33rd minute.

Substitutes:

Jake O’Brien (for Coleman 57) – X – He replaced his Everton teammate and did reasonably well after coming on for his third-ever international appearance.

Jason Knight (for Doherty 57) – X – Repelled an England counter by dispossessing Gordon, which would have done him good.

Alan Browne (for Smallbone 75) – N/A – A late sub.

Kasey McAteer (for Idah 75) – N/A – A late sub.

Evan Ferguson (for Brady 82) – X – A late sub.

England

Jordan Pickford – 7 – Delivered when called upon, which proved to be too few and far between, notably producing a strong stop to deny Szmodics from range.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.5 – Given his first international start as a conventional right-back since June 2021—a tangible first sign of the new regime post-Gareth Southgate, though it seemed like a straightforward decision with Kyle Walker injured and Kieran Trippier retired. That said, the Liverpool defender has also enjoyed an exceptional start to the season for his club. That said, the Liverpool defender has also enjoyed an outstanding start to the season for his club; in today’s match, he effectively played the hybrid role he has made his own, primarily operating in the middle third. Ireland also struggled to cope with his long-range diagonal passes.

Harry Maguire – 7 – A return to international team duty after missing Euro 2024 due to an injury, Maguire is again facing an uncertain future at Manchester United but can always be counted on when donning the England jersey.

Marc Guehi – 7 – Unquestionably one of England’s leading performers at Euro 2024, he was on the periphery before the competition but is now among the first to be named in the starting lineup.

Levi Colwill – 7 – Overlooked by Southgate at left-back for Euro 2024 despite being desperately short in the position, Carsley has no such concerns. That appears to be where the Chelsea defender — who played a crucial role in England U21’s winning the Euros a year ago under the interim Three Lions boss — will play. Picked up a late booking in a performance where he rarely displayed his attacking capabilities.

Kobbie Mainoo – 6.5 – The first player to receive a yellow card from referee José María Sánchez Martínez for catching Adam Idah; besides that, Mainoo once again displayed maturity beyond his years while playing in England’s midfield.

Declan Rice – 8.5 – On his return to Ireland, he put England in front with a neat strike. Rice didn’t celebrate; instead, he held his hands up, almost semi-apologising to the home fans. But what Rice does best made the difference: his innate ability to effectively retain and recycle possession while making those magnificent runs from deep.

Anthony Gordon – 7.5 – Eight weeks almost to the day since the end of a tournament where he played for six minutes, Gordon gets the nod from the off. That comes only days after he criticised the Three Lions’ lack of creativity in their Euro 2024 run and said they lacked the dynamism needed to improve in Germany. Perhaps it should be no surprise as he was named player of the tournament when the manager’s U21s won the 2023 Euros last summer. Gordon often found himself one-on-one with his former Everton teammate Coleman, which was a fascinating tussle.

Jack Grealish – 8 – Was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024 but has now returned to the team under Lee Carsley in a seldom-played number 10 role. This was also Grealish’s first appearance in Ireland as an England player, and he made the most of the opportunity, roaming around while carrying the ball well. He also expertly swept home Rice’s cut-back pass and didn’t hold back as he celebrated.

Bukayo Saka – 7 – Usually, he is continually given possession, but Saka had to share attacking duties with the other members of England’s front four, his standout moment came in the final seconds when forcing Kelleher into a good save.

Harry Kane – 6.5 – On his 99th appearance for England, the nation’s record goalscorer was picked out by a fine cross from Alexander-Arnold but headed over.

Angel Gomes (for Mainoo 78) – X – Came on late to win his first-ever England cap.