The Republic of Ireland completed their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 5-0 defeat to England at Wembley. In what was an excellent and disciplined performance from Ireland in the first half which frustrated the hosts, the concession of three goals in five minutes from Kane, Gordon and Gallagher early in the second half and the late concession of two goals from Bowen and Harwood-Bellis was compounded by having to play the majority of the second half with ten men following this dismissal of Liam Scales.

Mark McGuinness came into the side to make his Ireland debut as Dara O'Shea returned to the Ireland starting eleven, with Jayson Molumby replacing Jason Knight as part of the three changes from the side that defeated Finland in Dublin. In contrast, England made three changes to their side that won midweek.

The first chance of the contest came in the 5th minute for the home side with a breaking run down the right from Madueke forced an excellent near post save from Kelleher, which was followed up with a snap shot on the edge of the area by Jones that took a deflection for a corner. Josh Cullen did brilliantly to block a certain goal-bound chance from Bellingham in the 11th minute as Ireland defended resolutely and with discipline in the opening period.

Ireland did break with pace when the opportunity arose with Ebosele the main attacking threat for the away side, Ireland had a case for a penalty when Ferguson and Guéhi tussled for the ball in the English area but the referee didn’t deem it a foul.

Ireland had an opportunity to score in the 41st minute with a free kick from the left by Cullen that had numerous headed attempts on the secondary ball, with the English defence holding firm to clear the danger. This was followed by another Irish attack with a wide delivery from Ebosele that saw Pickford having to gather the ball under pressure. 

England started the second half with intent with Ireland once again holding their defensive discipline ensuring that England was forced to play wide in thier attacking phases. 

England opened the scoring after being awarded a penalty in the 51st minute following a through ball from Kane to Bellingham that saw the England forward being fouled in the penalty area under the challenge of Scales. That was the Irish defender's second yellow card and he was consequently sent off. Kane slotted home the penalty sending Kelleher the wrong way to open the scoring. 

England added a second in the 55th minute following a cross from the left by Livramento that took a deflection off Cullen which directed the ball into the path of Gordan who struck the ball first time to beat Kelleher at his back post. 

The home side netted thier third goal in the 59th minute as Guéhi, in the middle of the Irish goal area, met a Madueke corner to head the ball to the back post, where Gallagher was waiting to toe-poke it home. 

Kelleher made an excellent stop in the 69th minute to deny Bellingham and England a fourth goal when a cross from Madueke had to be blocked and cleared by the Irish keeper despite the close attentions of the English forward. 

England did add a fourth in the 75th minute with a quick free kick taken from the left side of the Irish area saw the ball played across the face of the goal area with Jarrod Bowen striking a low curling effort that went through a sea of bodies to beat Kelleher. 

Ireland had their first shot on target in the 78th minute when Ryan Manning's through ball to Moran inside the English area was struck on the turn but Pickford was equal to the effort. 

England added a fifth two minutes later when Jude Bellingham sent in an inch-perfect ball to the Irish area and Harwood-Bellis rose highest to head the ball home. Harry Kane had an opportunity saved by Caoimhin Kelleher with the England forward's low effort stopped at the near post by the Irish netminders' feet. Kelleher followed that stop with a pinpoint save to deny Bowen in the 88th minute. 

Ireland will conclude their Nations League campaign in March 2025 with a promotion/relegation playoff with the fixture confirmed in the coming days.

England: Pickford (GK), Walker (Harwood-Bellis 62), Gallagher (Rogers 74), Guéhi, Kane ©, Bellingham, Gordon (Solanke 74), Hall, Livramento, Jones (Gomes 79), Madueke (Bowen 74)

Subs not used: Henderson (GK), Trafford (GK), Lewis, Gibbs-White, Quansah, Watkins, Rogers, Solanke.

Republic of Ireland: Kelleher (GK) O'Dowda (Azaz 66), O'Shea, Scales, Cullen (Bowen 76), Szmodics (McAteer 86), Molumby, Ferguson (Parrott 66), McGuinness, Ebosele (Manning 66), Collins (C)

Subs not used: O'Leary (GK), Travers (GK), Doherty, Johnston, O'Brien, Coventry, Cannon.

Ireland will conclude their Nations League campaign in March 2025 with a promotion/relegation playoff with the fixture confirmed in the coming days. 

Booked: Bellingham (ENG), Madueke (ENG), Scales (IRL), Kane (ENG), Molumby (IRL), O’Shea (IRL).

Sent Off: Scales (IRL)

Player of the Match: Nathan Collins

Referee: Erik Lambrechts (BEL)

Attendance: 79,969