The Republic of Ireland host England in Dublin this weekend in what is sure to be a fiery curtain raiser to this year’s Nation League campaign.
The football rivalry between England and the Republic of Ireland is a classic of international football, rich in history, passion and fierce competition.
On September 7, the two nations will add another chapter to the story of this fixture, as they meet at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin for the opening group game of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League.
It will be England’s first visit to the Republic of Ireland in nine years, a country the Three Lions haven’t won a match in since 1964.
The clash will have particular significance for England duo Jack Grealish and Declan Rice, who are both expected to receive a frosty reception from the Irish fans owing to their decision to switch their national allegiance.
Both former Republic of Ireland youth internationals were selected in Lee Carsley’s first England squad.
In celebration of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated contest, let’s take a look back at the top five England vs the Republic of Ireland football clashes that have shaped this historic rivalry since the two nations first locked horns in September 1946.
5: England 1 – 1 Republic of Ireland (June 1990 – FIFA World Cup)
We begin with arguably the most significant meeting of the two nations – at least in terms of prestige. It remains the only occasion in which the Three Lions have faced their neighbours at a FIFA World Cup finals.
Taking place on June 11, 1990, it also happened to be Ireland’s first-ever FIFA World Cup match, and England’s first in the soon-to-be-iconic 1990 edition.
Long before Gazza’s tears against West Germany, he was catching the eye in the heart of England’s midfield, although it was star striker Gary Lineker who eventually handed the side an early lead.
Bobby Robson’s men held onto their slender advantage until the 73rd minute, when Kevin Sheedy scored to earn Ireland a vital first-ever World Cup point.
In terms of a spectacle, it wasn’t one for the ages, but it remains a historic occasion within the pantheon of this great fixture.
4: England 3-0 Republic of Ireland (November 2020, International Friendly)
The most recent clash also happens to be one of England’s most impressive wins against the Republic of Ireland.
Under manager Gareth Southgate, the hosts put on a fine display at Wembley Stadium, racing into an 18th-minute lead thanks to a Harry Maguire header.
Without a win in the fixture since 1985, England were keen to push home their advantage, which Jadon Sancho duly did on the half-hour mark.
In the absence of captain Harry Kane, Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin made no mistake from the spot to seal a famous 3-0 win – and a return to form for the hosts after a run of seven games without a win against Ireland.
3: England 0-1 Republic of Ireland (June 1988, European Championships)
Ask an Irish football fan of a certain age what their favourite ever win is, and it stands a decent chance that they’ll mention this infamous match from Euro 1988.
Just like in 1990, the two nations met each other first at a major competition – although this time the result would be far more impactful.
The Republic of Ireland’s 1-0 win was not only their first against England in almost 40 years, it was also their first-ever at a major international tournament.
Ray Houghton’s 6th-minute header at Stuttgart’s Neckarstadion may not have been enough for Ireland to reach the knockout stages, but it did seal a famous win over their old rivals – one that won’t be forgotten by either fan base.
2: England 0-2 Republic of Ireland (September 1949, International Friendly)
It doesn’t get much sweeter than handing your rivals their first-ever defeat on home soil – as the Republic of Ireland discovered on September 21 1949.
That day, the side made history in more ways than one, defeating an England XI captained by the legendary Billy Wright.
Four years before Hungary arrived at Wembley Stadium to give the creators of the beautiful game a footballing lesson, The Boys in Green dished out a shock of their own at Everton’s Goodison Park.
Goals from Con Martin and Peter Farrell – both of whom spent the bulk of their careers in English football – sank the hosts, who had never previously tasted defeat on home soil.
To date, it remains Ireland’s only ever victory in England.
1: Republic of Ireland 1-3 England (May 1964, International Friendly)
It might come as a slight surprise, but England have only registered two victories on Irish soil.
Indeed, you have to travel back 60 years to find the last time England managed to win in Ireland, that being a star-studded 3-1 triumph at Dalymount Park in Dublin.
In front of 45,000 fans, an England side that featured Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore triumphed thanks to goals from George Eastham, Johnny Byrne, and the great Jimmy Greaves.
There were plenty of stars in green that day too, as former West Ham and Manchester United Full-back Noel Cantwell captained the side, while a young Johnny Giles battled it out with Charlton in midfield.
What makes this fixture stand out in the history books is not the match itself, but what England managed to achieve just two years later.
Many of the heroes of Dublin – namely Charlton, Moore, George Cohen and Ray Wilson – would line up for England in the 1966 World Cup Final.
You don’t need me to tell you what happened after that.