Greece 2:1 England (October 10, 2024) Match analysis

Greece beat England for the first time as striker Vangelis Pavlidis gave the visitors a well-deserved 2-1 win at Wembley on Thursday and secured them control of Group B2 of the Nations League.

While Pavlidis's winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time caused wild celebrations among the Greek fans, England's replacement coach Lee Carsley was given a sobering reality check.

Two wins since Gareth Southgate's resignation boosted Carsley's chances of a possible full-time career, but his hopes may have faded after a resounding defeat to Greece.

Pavlidis had given his side the lead early in the second half with a confident finish and Greece had three goals ruled out against an English team that started with an extremely attacking line-up but made serious misses.

Jude Bellingham seemed to have saved his side when he equalized in the 87th minute, but there was another twist when the outstanding Pavlidis punished the weak defense and fired past Jordan Pickford from close range.

Greece lead the table with a maximum of nine points, while England are in second place with six points after their first defeat under Carsley.

“Personally speaking, absolutely disappointing. “To achieve such a result with the armband for the first time,” said John Stones, captain in place of the injured Harry Kane.

“We prepared as usual and it didn’t work out. They really put us under pressure from the start. It’s up to us to deliver – and we haven’t been able to do that.”

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It was a poignant evening for Greece with a minute's silence before kick-off for former international George Baldock, who died this week aged 31.

“It’s a very special day and a very special game for us. Our thoughts are with George (Baldock). But we are professionals and had to play the game,” said Pavlidis.

“We gave our souls for him tonight. Today is not a day to talk about football.”

After the often conservative nature of English football under Southgate, there was great anticipation at Wembley as Carsley fielded a front five including Cole Palmer.

With Kane missing, Palmer, who scored England's equalizer as a substitute in the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, started just behind Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.

Bellingham hit Greek goalkeeper Vlachodimos Odysseas with a wild shot and Palmer shot wastefully over the crossbar when well placed.

However, despite England's attacking potential, it was Greece who had the better chances in the first half.

Pavlidis curled a shot wide before home goalkeeper Pickford almost gave Greece the lead, losing the ball on the edge of his penalty area and having his blushes spared by a brilliant goal-line effort from Levi Colwill.

Moments later Pickford hit a high ball and Konstantinos Mavropanos headed into the net but was offside.

England started the second half lethargically and Greece took the lead in the 49th minute when Pavlidis showed great footwork and sent a low shot past Pickford despite being surrounded by English defenders.

Goals from Giorgos Masouras and Pavlidis were ruled out and many England fans were on their way home when Bellingham's shot beat Vlachodimos.

However, Greece were undeterred and Pavlidis ensured they had the last laugh.