Declan Rice opened the scoring for England against the Republic of Ireland this afternoon to silence the jeers at the Aviva Stadium.
Rice was targeted for abuse by the home supporters after playing three games for Ireland before switching his allegiance to England in 2019.
The Arsenal midfielder handed England the lead in this Nations League Group Two fixture after 11 minutes.
Anthony Gordon was played clean through but saw his shot saved by Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. Gordon returned the ball into the box, Harry Kane’s shot was blocked but the ball fell to Rice to sweep right-footed into the top right-hand corner.
On his return to the Aviva Stadium, Declan Rice fires @England ahead with a thumping strike 💥
Watch #IREvENG on @ITV pic.twitter.com/yoBbQiDITC
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 7, 2024
Rice opted not to fan the flames by celebrating, holding his hands up in a conciliatory gesture.
If that was not galling enough for the Irish fans, Jack Grealish, who played for Ireland at Under-21 level, then swept England into a 2-0 lead 15 minutes later after a pull back from Rice.
