England v Ireland LIVE: Nations League result as Taylor Harwood-Bellis scores on debut in thrashing

England are unbeaten in their last 41 matches in all competitions when they’ve netted the opening goal (W38 D3) since losing 2-1 to Czechia in October 2019 in a UEFA European Championship qualifier.

The Three Lions have lost three of their last five games at Wembley (W1 D1), as many as they had in their previous 50 combined (W39 D8 L3). It’s only the third time they have lost three games at the national stadium in a single year (along with 1977 and 1981), and they have never lost four in one year.

The Republic of Ireland have won two of their last three UEFA Nations League matches – as many as they’d won in their first 18 games in the competition combined (W2 D6 L10).

Ahead of the match, new Republic of Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson said that his side don’t have to fear England.

“Coming from a win on Thursday, we’ve nothing to fear and we can try to play like we did in the second half against Greece and Finland,” he said.

“I’ve never played at Wembley, but it’s always an honour to play in places like Wembley. It’s always an honour to play the top teams in the world and England are one,” he added.

“That helps your growth when you play the best teams. You’re up against the best individual talents in football and they will expose your weakness.”

Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Lee Carsley said that “in terms of the future, my priority is making sure we get the job done”.

“We are fully respectful of Ireland and the strengths they have, so we have to make sure we approach the game properly,” he added.

“We won’t take any risk on any of the players so, apart from Ezri, we’re in good condition.

Regarding his role as interim manager, Carsley said: “It’s a great role. It has been a brilliant experience, at times it has been tough.

“The tough times have been outweighed by nights like the other night [in Greece].

“You always question whether you can do it, in terms of the comfort zone myself and staff have been out of, which has been good.

“I try to look beyond myself. It is important for the longer-term view that the best thing for us is to get promotion. That sets us up for the draw at the World Cup.

It will be more beneficial for the players than it will be for myself.”

England have won their last two matches against the Republic of Ireland, beating them 3-0 in November 2020 and 2-0 in September this year. They have never won three in a row against Ireland before.

The Republic of Ireland won their first away match against England back in September 1949 at Goodison Park; since then, all seven of their games in England have been at Wembley and they’ve won none of them (drawn three and lost four).

Tonight’s match will be the 19th meeting between the two sides, with the first dating back to September 1946.

Overall, England have won seven, Ireland have won two, and nine have ended as draws.

When the two sides met in Dublin in September, the Three Lions ran out comfortable 2-0 winners courtesy of goals from Declan Rice and Jack Grealish.

Tino Livramento becomes the seventh player given a debut by Lee Carsley in his brief reign. The interim manager has certainly shown a willingness to experiment, particularly with the graduates of his Under-21 team.

Marc Guehi is the only specialist centre-back in the England team, with Kyle Walker set to join him in the middle of the defence. The Ireland side, in contrast, looks packed with centre-backs.

Lee Carsley hopes to have helped Thomas Tuchel by being different with his selection and approach during his interim England reign – something that has led to praise and some service station sermons.

Sunday’s Nations League clash with the Republic of Ireland marks the end of his six-game stint as Gareth Southgate’s interim successor, with Tuchel starting his quest to win the 2026 World Cup in the new year.

Carsley returns to his post as England Under-21s boss having leant on many young talents he knows well from last year’s European Championship triumph in Georgia.

Harry Kane is not worried about his long-term England future, insisting he is in the best form of his career.

The England captain was left out of Thursday’s 3-0 Nations League win over Greece, which came just months after his form during Euro 2024 came under heavy scrutiny.

With new manager Thomas Tuchel starting in January, Kane could be vulnerable, but he insists his performances for Bayern Munich make him “one of the top goal-scorers in the world” and worthy of his selection.

In their last 13 matches, England have only once started with a specialist left-back. Now a specialist left-back has emerged who debuted under Thomas Tuchel and who, even before the German takes charge, can benefit from the coaching of England’s most-capped full-back. If the autumn of 2023 was decidedly difficult for Lewis Hall, a year on, the stars could seem to be aligning for him.

Of the six uncapped players in Lee Carsley’s squad this month, Hall has the clearest path to a place in the team. Luke Shaw began the Euro 2024 final, but his outings have become rarities amid his injury problems. Kieran Trippier was the right-back pressed into service on the opposite flank in Germany but he has opted for international retirement.

In Carsley’s interim reign, Levi Colwill, Rico Lewis and Trent Alexander-Arnold have played out of position on the left; the Chelsea and Liverpool players have been ruled out this week’s double header against Greece and Republic of Ireland.

The Republic of Ireland have made three changes to the side that beat Finland 1-0 on Thursday.

In defence, Matt Doherty drops out in favour of Dara O’Shea, while in midfield, Jayson Molumby replaces Jason Knight.Mark McGuinness also makes his debut, replacing Michael Johnston.