England National Football Team vs Republic of Ireland National Football Team Lineups: The Night Dublin Went Quiet

The Short Answer

England beat the Republic of Ireland 2-0 on September 7, 2024, in a UEFA Nations League clash at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin — and the england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups told the whole story before a ball was even kicked.

Disclaimer: All lineup and match data referenced in this article is drawn from publicly available official records and credentialed sports journalism. Readers are encouraged to verify current squad information via the official FA (englandfootball.com) and FAI (fai.ie) websites.

Match at a Glance

New Bosses, Fresh Starts — But a Very Old Rivalry

There’s something gloriously theatrical about this fixture. Two brand-new managers. A boiling, sold-out stadium. And smack in the middle of it all, two players — Declan Rice and Jack Grealish — who had once worn the green jersey, walking back into Dublin to face their former “home” crowd. You genuinely couldn’t write it.

The england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups for this September 7 clash were more than just names on a team sheet. They were a statement. England, fresh off losing the Euro 2024 final to Spain just 55 days earlier, were pressing the reset button under interim boss Lee Carsley. Ireland, under new head coach Heimir Hallgrímsson, were looking for a completely new beginning of their own.

Both sets of fans packed the Aviva Stadium expecting fireworks. Only one set went home happy.

England’s Starting XI — Carsley’s Bold First Selection

Lee Carsley’s debut england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups selection told us plenty about the direction he wanted to take the Three Lions.

Six players who started the Euro 2024 final kept their spots. But there were eyebrow-raising inclusions — and one very loud message about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position.

Confirmed England Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

England Substitutes: Henderson, Pope, Lewis, Stones, Gallagher, Livramento, Konsa, Gibbs-White, Angel Gomes, Bowen, Eze, Madueke

Three big names — Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Ollie Watkins — were absent through injury, while Jude Bellingham also missed out. That freed up spots for exciting inclusions like Angel Gomes, Morgan Gibbs-White, Noni Madueke, and Tino Livramento in the squad.

Carsley made it clear that Alexander-Arnold was playing at right-back — not in midfield as Southgate had controversially experimented — and Harry Kane remained captain. Anthony Gordon, who had managed just two substitute appearances at Euro 2024, finally got his moment to shine from the start.

Republic of Ireland’s Starting XI — Hallgrímsson’s First Selection

On the other side, the england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups featured Ireland boss Heimir Hallgrímsson naming his very first competitive starting eleven, replacing Stephen Kenny’s era with a fresh-looking squad in a 4-4-2 shape.

Confirmed Republic of Ireland Starting XI (4-4-2)

Republic of Ireland Substitutes: A full bench of attacking and defensive options including Troy Parrott, Evan Ferguson, Callum O’Dowda, and Liam Scales, among others.

Captain Seamus Coleman picked up his 73rd cap in a moment of personal pride. Caoimhín Kelleher started in goal, with the Liverpool goalkeeper providing a solid presence for a backline that was still finding its feet under a new system.

The Drama, The Goals, The Plot Twist Nobody Saw Coming

Now here’s where the england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups truly came to life — and where the match took on a life far bigger than football.

Ireland actually had the better of the opening few minutes. Jayson Molumby headed over from close range in just the third minute — unmarked, free, and somehow missed. The crowd roared. For a moment, Dublin believed.

Then came the script twist.

In the 11th minute, Declan Rice — a man the Irish crowd had already been booing — picked up a loose ball from a blocked Harry Kane shot and smashed it into the top corner from 12 yards. He didn’t celebrate. He kept his face neutral, acknowledged the Dublin faithful with a restrained nod, and got back in position. Classy, and devastating.

The second goal, just 15 minutes later, was even crueller for Ireland fans. Rice — yes, him again — drove down the left and slid a cross across goal. Jack Grealish, who had represented Ireland at youth level and was playing his first England game since being sensationally left out of Euro 2024, swept it home first-time. And then — he fist-pumped. Right in front of the England fans. Fingers in ears. The pantomime villain had arrived.

Ireland pushed in the second half and England lost their rhythm, sitting deeper, passing time — very Southgate-ish for a moment — but there was never a serious threat of an Irish comeback. England held firm. Final score: Republic of Ireland 0 – 2 England.

Key Tactical Observations: What the Lineups Told Us

Looking at the england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups side by side, three tactical stories stand out.

1. England Were Bolder in Midfield

Carsley’s pairing of Kobbie Mainoo (22) and Declan Rice gave England both energy and control. Rather than a safety-first midfielder, Carsley used Mainoo’s progressive carrying to push the tempo — a clear departure from the Southgate years.

2. Ireland Lacked a Creative Spark

The Irish 4-4-2 was compact but lacked a player capable of unlocking England’s organized defense. Szmodics was Ireland’s most creative option, but he was largely isolated. Without Evan Ferguson from the start, there was a missing goal threat that hurt Ireland badly.

3. England’s Wide Players Were the Key

Anthony Gordon on the left was lively all evening, providing pace and directness that had been missing in the Euro tournament. His energy in the opening 20 minutes set the tone for England’s dominance — a direct result of Carsley’s brave lineup choices.

Formation Comparison

Head-to-Head Historical Record

The england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups on that September day were part of a much longer rivalry — one with plenty of twists.

The September 7, 2024 result ended a 60-year wait for England to win in Dublin. That’s not a footnote — that’s history.

Player Spotlight: The Returning Heroes

The most emotionally loaded part of any analysis of the england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups is the Rice-Grealish subplot.

Declan Rice played three senior friendlies for the Republic of Ireland before switching allegiance to England in 2019. The Dublin crowd made their feelings very clear. Rice responded with a goal, and chose not to celebrate — a mark of genuine class.

Jack Grealish represented Ireland at youth level before choosing England at senior level. He was controversially left out of Euro 2024 by Southgate, making his return to the England lineup all the more dramatic. He scored, celebrated loudly, and generally made the Aviva Stadium feel like his personal stage for an afternoon.

Lee Carsley — England’s interim manager — also played for Ireland during his career, making this one of the more surreal managerial derbies in recent memory.

Expert Insight: Why This Lineup Worked

The england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups were particularly interesting because Carsley’s selection actively rewarded players who had been frozen out by Southgate. Grealish, Maguire, and Gordon all returned to the starting XI with clear points to prove. The psychological effect on team performance cannot be understated — hungry, motivated players almost always deliver.

From a tactical standpoint, putting Alexander-Arnold at right-back (rather than midfield) immediately simplified England’s defensive structure and gave Saka a natural overlapping partner on that right flank. It’s a small change that made a big difference.

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Conclusion: What These Lineups Told the Football World

The england national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups on September 7, 2024 were, in many ways, a fresh declaration of intent. Two new managers, two new eras, and a match that delivered genuinely dramatic football backed by intelligent selection.

England’s starting XI was bold, balanced, and rewarded overlooked talent. Ireland’s was competitive but ultimately short on the creative quality needed to hurt a well-organized England side. The 2-0 scoreline was fair, the goals were beautifully ironic, and the night sent a message: the Carsley era — however brief — had begun with a bang.

Whether you’re a die-hard Three Lions fan, a passionate Ireland supporter, or just someone who loves the theater of international football, this was a game worth replaying.

FAQs: Your Top Questions Answered

Q1. What was the final score of the England vs Republic of Ireland match on September 7, 2024?

England won 2-0. Declan Rice scored in the 11th minute and Jack Grealish added the second in the 26th minute, both in the first half.

Q2. What were the confirmed England national football team vs republic of ireland national football team lineups?

England’s confirmed XI was: Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Maguire, Guehi, Colwill; Mainoo, Rice; Saka, Grealish, Gordon; Kane. Ireland’s XI was: Kelleher; Coleman, Collins, O’Shea, Brady; Doherty, Molumby, Smallbone, Szmodics; Ogbene, Idah.

Q3. Who was England’s manager for this match?

Lee Carsley, the former Everton and Republic of Ireland midfielder, served as interim manager. It was his first game in charge after Gareth Southgate’s departure following Euro 2024.

Q4. Why were Rice and Grealish booed by the Dublin crowd?

Both players had previously been associated with Ireland — Rice played three senior friendlies for Ireland before switching to England in 2019, and Grealish represented Ireland at youth level. Scoring against Ireland made their returns especially dramatic.

Q5. Who was missing from England’s squad for this match?

Jude Bellingham (injury), Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, and Ollie Watkins (all withdrawn with minor injuries) were notable absentees from Carsley’s first England setup.

Q6. Was this England’s first win in Dublin in a long time?

Yes — England’s 2-0 win on September 7, 2024 was their first victory in Dublin in 60 years, since 1964.

Q7. What formation did England use in the September 7 game?

England lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Rice and Mainoo as the double pivot, and Grealish, Saka, and Gordon supporting Kane as the lone striker.

Thank you for reading! Check out our previous blog on theteamlineups.com for more exciting stories.

Last Updated: May 22, 2026