50-year-old football coach Lee Carsley delivered his verdict over England and Manchester City midfielder Declan Rice after their win against Ireland on Saturday

Ireland’s Declan Rice and Jack Grealish came back to haunt them in Lee Carsley’s first game as interim England boss, which ended in a comfortable Nations League win in Dublin.

The game at Aviva Stadium on Saturday, which was sold out, was the start of a new era for both teams. Heimir Hallgrimsson led the hosts against a country starting over without Gareth Southgate.

England played well in their first game since losing the Euro 2024 final in July. Rice and Grealish set up Carsley for a 2-0 win over the country he played for 40 times as a player.

The acting manager didn’t say a word during “God Save the King,” just like he said he would before the game against the country whose players scored the goals.

Rice played three full games for the Republic and scored the first goal for England. Grealish, who used to play for Ireland under-21, added to the lead during a one-sided first half.

On a day when Hallgrimsson’s team never looked like getting back into the game, traveling fans sang “Two nil to the Irish boys.” Carsley were off to a winning start in the Nations League second tier.

The atmosphere at the Aviva Stadium was electric before the game. Before the game, England’s caretaker manager sat down in the wrong dugout by accident.

Some traveling fans yelled “no surrender” during a performance of “God Save the King,” which was loudly booed by Irish fans. Then the Irish played their national anthem.

When Rice and Grealish got back to Ireland, it was hot right away. Jayson Molumby had a great chance to score the first goal in the third minute.

Robbie Brady sent in a corner kick that the defender touched just enough before heading over at the far post. Harry Kane, the captain of England, then missed a chance of his own.

During an exciting game, Sammie Szmodics was denied, but England took the lead after 11 minutes when Trent Alexander-Arnold played Anthony Gordon in behind.

Declan Rice holds up his hands after scoring the first goal for England (Evan Treacy/PA).
The forward hit Caoimhin Kelleher straight on, but kept the move going by playing the ball across for Kane to take a shot that was saved. Rice then shot the ball into the top right corner.

When the Arsenal player scored, he put up his hands, which made people in England chant “he’s one of our own.”

Kane almost made things worse, but Kelleher stopped him. Fans of the two teams were yelling at each other, and England carefully probed, which led to a second goal in the 26th minute.

Rice played a big part in a great moving play that ended with him cutting the ball back for Grealish to score in front of the England fans, beating the huge Kelleher.

Jack Grealish celebrates after making it 2-0 to England (Evan Treacy/PA).
The playmaker for Manchester City jumped and punched the air, which was very different from Rice’s reaction.

Even though Hallgrimsson’s team was having a hard time keeping things under control, that gut punch took the edge off of the hostile environment.

Before the break, Kane kept threatening to make things worse for Ireland. When the game resumed, England continued to control the ball without having to deal with much in return.

Captain Seamus Coleman hurt his leg and had to leave the game, which was bad for the hosts. But the Republic answered well, and Szmodics came close before Molumby scored.

Jack Grealish celebrates after making it 2-0 to England (Evan Treacy/PA).
The playmaker for Manchester City jumped and punched the air, which was very different from Rice’s reaction.

Even though Hallgrimsson’s team was having a hard time keeping things under control, that gut punch took the edge off of the hostile environment.

Before the break, Kane kept threatening to make things worse for Ireland. When the game resumed, England continued to control the ball without having to deal with much in return.

Captain Seamus Coleman hurt his leg and had to leave the game, which was bad for the hosts. But the Republic answered well, and Szmodics came close before Molumby scored.