England vs Greece LIVE: Nations League result and reaction as hosts concede calamitous late goal
England 1-2 Greece: Vangelis Pavlidis’ two goals secured all three points
England suffered their first defeat under Lee Carsley in a thrilling and frustrating encounter with Greece at Wembley. Having named an attacking and experimental line-up Carsley watched on in shock as his team were outclassed on the turf whilst struggling to utilise the talents of Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka in a coherent way.
The Greeks should have led at half-time. They had a goal disallowed after Jordan Pickford made some quickfire errors in an uncharacteristically nervous performance. They did lead just after the break with Vangelis Pavlidis weaving through three defenders to slot a low effort past the goalkeeper.
Two more disallowed goals for Greece tells the story of a shaky English defence that lacked substance. The progression nature of the full backs too often allowing space on the counter and leaving John Stones and Levi Colwill with too much to do. In the dying stages Jude Bellingham smoked in a rocket strike that almost nicked England a point.
The deciding moment though came to Pavlidis. England scrambled in the box once again and knocked the ball to the striker who took his chance and secured a first ever win against the Three Lions for Greece.
Relive the Nations League action with our live blog below:
Full-time! England 1-2 Greece
90+5 mins: The full time whistle goes.
Greece earn a historic win at Wembley and they deserved it. It was a superb performance from the visitors as Lee Carsley’s experiement didn’t work.
Jude Bellingham almost secured a point but Vangelis Pavlidis stepped up to the plate and his two goals keep Greece at the top of Group B2.
GOAL! England 1-2 Greece (Vangelis Pavlidis, 90+4’)
90+4 mins: This one should stand!
England are terrible in defence once more. There’s pressure and a lack of leadership in the box as Greece burst forward. A huge scramble sees the ball squirt out to Pavlidis who takes his opportunity.
Greece go ahead again and that should secure them the points.
England 1-1 Greece
90+2 mins: It’s the Greeks who look a little flummoxed now. They deserved to be in front and seem to have been flattened by the equaliser.
They’re happy with a point too. The players are strolling around the pitch, not moving quickly, just trying to take time out of the game.
England 1-1 Greece
90 mins: Is there time for a winning goal? Bellingham thinks so.
A deep free kick is played out to the right before coming back to Alexander-Arnold. He floats a cross to the far side of the box where Madueke arrives and pokes a shot into the side netting.
Five minutes of added time to play. England couldn’t, could they?
GOAL! England 1-1 Greece (Jude Bellingham, 87’)
87 mins: Jude Bellingham rescues England!
That’s a story that’s been played out before. Ollie Watkins is played into the box on the right side of the pitch. He pulls it back and doesn’t find a teammate in the area.
Bellingham runs onto the ball from deep and rattles a rocket towards goal which beats Vlachodimos and brings the Three Lions level at Wembley.
England 0-1 Greece
85 mins: Reprieve for England!
Greece’s second goal is ruled out for offside as Pavlidis just edge ahead of the ball before Tzolis played the pass across to him. Greece have scored four times tonight with only one of those efforts being legitimate.
What a performance from them.
GOAL! England 0-2 Greece (Pavlidis, 83’)
83 mins: Boom!
Pavlidis doubles Greece’s lead. It’s a quick break through Tzolis down the left side after England give the ball away. Tzolis drives up the pitch, goes into the box and squares the ball to the forward who turns it home.
England 0-1 Greece
81 mins: The frustration is growing amongst the England players but not so the crowd. They’re trying to encourage England on, get them up the pitch and inspire them to score an equaliser.
Greece aren’t letting them though. They have a good defence and look likely to shut the Three Lions out. Will there be some late drama?
England 0-1 Greece
78 mins: Madueke goes on a nice run alongside the edge of the penalty area but there’s no final ball nor a shot meaning his gets dispossessed.
The Chelsea forward then wins a corner with his next attack. Trent Alexander-Arnold curls in the delivery but Tzolis is there to nod the ball away.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments