Jude Bellingham’s big night as England stroll past Ireland
England eased to a comfortable 3-0 friendly success against the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on a night to remember for Stourbridge-born teenager Jude Bellingham.
Goals from Harry McGuire, Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, via the penalty spot, had put the hosts in charge before former Birmingham midfielder Bellingham was introduced as a 72nd-minute substitute.
At 17 years and 137 days old, the Borussia Dortmund starlet became the third youngest player to represent England, behind Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney.
England had the match under control by half-time after establishing a 2-0 lead.
Maguire, captaining his country for the first time, opened the scoring after 18 minutes when he headed home a cross from Harry Winks.
Sancho doubled the Three Lions’ advantage in the 31st minute. After receiving a pass from Villa’s Jack Grealish he showed decent footwork before firing a low shot through Jeff Hendrick’s legs to beat Darren Randolph down low to his left.
Everton striker Calvert-Lewin then wrapped up the scoring from the penalty spot just before the hour mark after Cyrus Christie had upended Bukayo Saka in the area.
