Preston North End skipper Alan Browne plays in Republic of Ireland's Wembley defeat to England

Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne won his 11th Republic of Ireland cap in the 3-0 defeat to England at Wembley on Thursday night.
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The Lilywhites skipper completed the full 90 minutes of what was a rather one-sided friendly.

The Irish were on the back foot for long spells, Browne seeing a shot saved comfortably by England substitute keeper Dean Henderson in the second half.

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Browne's PNE team-mate Sean Maguire, a late call-up to the squad, was an unused substitute.

Alan Browne chases for the ball with Michael Keane at WembleyAlan Browne chases for the ball with Michael Keane at Wembley
Alan Browne chases for the ball with Michael Keane at Wembley

England's goals came from Harry Maguire, Jadon Sancho and Dominic Calvert-Lewis, the Everton striker scoring from the penalty spot.

Before kick-off there was a minute's applause to remember former England internationals Nobby Stiles, Albert Quixall and Tony Waiter who had passed away recently.

The visitors struggled to defend set-pieces all night and Tyrone Mings should have done better with an early back-post header.

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Ireland's defensive cause was not helped when they were forced into an early change as Sheffield United defender John Egan was replaced by Dara O'Shea after suffering a bang on the head.

Alan Browne competes in the air with Tyrone MingsAlan Browne competes in the air with Tyrone Mings
Alan Browne competes in the air with Tyrone Mings

Maguire would head England in front soon after as he put some of his recent woes behind him by heading home a Harry Winks cross with 17 minutes on the clock.

That led to a dominant spell of possession for the hosts with Calvert-Lewin seeing a shot blocked by Shane Duffy after fine work from both Jack Grealish and Reece James.

Maguire almost doubled his tally for the evening from the resulting corner but this time Darren Randolph was able to turn a towering header over the bar.

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There was nothing the West Ham goalkeeper could do to prevent Sancho adding a second for England just after the half-hour mark.

Alan Browne watches as Republic of Ireland team-mate John Egan receives treatment for a head injuryAlan Browne watches as Republic of Ireland team-mate John Egan receives treatment for a head injury
Alan Browne watches as Republic of Ireland team-mate John Egan receives treatment for a head injury

The Borussia Dortmund forward collected a Grealish pass and bent a fine finish into the corner of Randolph's goal.

The same duo combined moments later, a fine Grealish ball freeing Sancho but this time his effort was blocked behind by Cyrus Christie.

Southgate switched his goalkeepers at the interval as Nick Pope was replaced by Dean Henderson for the Manchester United man's debut.

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The action would largely continue in the opposing box as Bukayo Saka missed a chance to open his international account at the end of a free-flowing move before Calvert-Lewin fluffed his lines with a header.

He would make amends by adding the third goal from the penalty spot, cracking home from 12 yards after Saka - who enjoyed a fine evening as an attacking wing-back - had been felled by Christie.

Southgate used England's dominance to give more minutes to Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Phil Foden and Tammy Abraham - while 17-year-old Jude Bellingham was also introduced, with only Theo Walcott and Wayne Rooney making their debuts at a younger age.

England took their foot off the gas in the closing stages as Ireland enjoyed their first sustained pressure of the night but still drew their fifth blank in succession.

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