England had a perilous trip to negotiate on Saturday in Ireland, for interim manager Lee Carsley’s first official match. Gareth Southgate’s temporary successor was somewhat at home, as he has dual nationality, and had a successful baptism of fire in the Nations League. Sportingly, at least… Since on the sidelines of this match, Carsley was criticized for his refusal to sing the English anthem, “God Save the King”, and several observers and analysts even called for his immediate dismissal.
The controversy may return if the results do not follow, but Carsley and his flock have started their joint adventure well. The Three Lions won (0-2) in Dublin with a new system (4-3-3) and five starters who were not in the starting line-up against Spain in the Euro 2024 final: Alexander-Arnold, Colwill, Maguire, Grealish and Gordon. The new formula proved to be profitable and the English had already made the break at half-time.
The betrayal of the Irish in England…
On the pitch at the Aviva Stadium, the irony of the identity of the only two scorers of the day will not have escaped the Irish supporters. First it was Declan Rice, the Arsenal midfielder, capped three times by Ireland before finally flying the English flag, who opened the scoring with a shot under the bar (0-1, 11th). The Gunner did not celebrate his goal out of respect for the Boys in Green fans whose colours he once wore. Then it was Jack Grealish, described as a “snake” on some tifos in the stands, who was at the end of a superb move and a service from Rice (0-2, 26th).
The Manchester City attacking midfielder played for Ireland at youth level before moving to the Three Lions in 2016 and showed much less restraint than his teammate when celebrating…
The next step for this England with an Irish twist: the reception of Finland, in three days, to confirm this good first impression.
