Better late than never – Anthony Gordon | OneFootball

It ended England 5 Republic of Ireland 0 and a massive moment for Anthony Gordon.

His first ever international goal.

Two minutes after Harry Kane scored the opener from the penalty spot, Tino Livramento crossed and when it dropped for Anthony Gordon, he volleyed home with a great finish.

A weight off his shoulders, though he has still only played 495 minutes of football for England, so not like an embarrassing length of time before scoring.

Still only 23, Anthony Gordon has so far started seven times for England and made two sub appearances, including that minute Gareth Southgate gave him at the European Championships!

Anthony Gordon reflecting on his first international goal:

“Better late than never.

“It’s definitely about time!

“It was a good feeling to see it hit the net.

“I got to spend it with some of the lads that I have come through the England setup with.

“That made it a bit more special.

“They made it really hard, they were defending with 11 players behind the ball.

“But I said to the lads, ‘they can’t keep up that running for 90 minutes, it is not possible’.

“I think Lee [Carsley] deserves a lot of credit, he fills us with so much confidence.

“I have had a fair few chances for England and it just hasn’t gone in.

“It was just nice to see it hit the back of the net.

“Lee has made some bold calls, giving a lot of chances to young lads and we all thank him very much for that.”

This was the first time an NUFC trio had started an England match since Shearer, Batty and Lee in April 1997, just the 27+ years ago.

Two minutes after the opener, Tino Livramento crossed and after deflections off a couple of Irish players, it dropped for Anthony Gordon to smash home his first ever England goal.

This wasn’t a stellar England performance but all three United players can be well pleased with their contributions.

Final score:

England 5 Republic of Ireland 0

Goals:

Kane 53 pen, Gordon 55, Gallagher 58, Bowen 75, Harwood-Bellis 79

England team v Republic of Ireland:

Pickford, Livramento, Walker (Harwood-Bellis 62), Guehi, Hall; Gallagher (Solanke 75), Jones (Gomes 79); Madueke (Bowen 75), Bellingham, Gordon (Rogers 75); Kane

Unused Subs:

Henderson, Trafford, Lewis, Gibbs-White, Quansah, Watkins

England confirmed schedule to end of 2024:

Saturday 7 September – Republic of Ireland 0 England 2

Tuesday 10 September – England 2 Finland 0

Thursday 10 October – England 1 Greece 2

Sunday 13 October – Finland 1 England 3

Wednesday 14 November – Greece 0 England 3