Greece vs England LIVE: Result and reaction as Three Lions seal victory in must-win Nations League clash
Greece 0-3 England: Ollie Watkins, an own goal created by Jude Bellingham and Curtis Jones ensured Lee Carsley’s Three Lions got the victory they needed in Athens
England took a big step closer to winning automatic promotion to the top tier of the Nations League with a strong 3-0 victory over rivals Greece in Athens.
Interim manager Lee Carsley made it four wins out of five for his time in charge and made a bold call in leaving captain Harry Kane on the bench to start the game. His replacement was Ollie Watkins and the decision made off spectacularly. Noni Madueke sprinted down the right and slipped in a pass that Watkins turned home with seven minutes on the clock.
The early breakthrough settled the nerves and England were able to weather a storm from the hosts with Jordan Pickford proving his worth on a busy night between the sticks. In the second half, Carsley made attacking substitutions and replaced the whole front line.
It worked a treat as first Bellingham raced at the defence to score a fortuitious deflected shot from range before Curtis Jones added a third with a dainty flick having been supplied by substitute Morgan Rogers. Three goals and three points puts England top of Group B2 and they need one more win to gain promotion.
Relive the action from the Nations League with our live blog below as England take on Greece:
Greece 0-1 England
30 mins: What a save!
This is a fine move from Greece. Kostas Tsimikas is played into space on the left and drives at Kyle Walker. He slips a pass into the feet of Vangelis Pavlidis who backheels it to Tsimikas who continues his run into the box.
Tsimikas shoots and Jordan Pickford sticks out a strong right hand to turn the ball behind.
Greece 0-1 England
27 mins: The Greek crowd are starting to get animated. The hosts are seeing more possession and manage to feed the ball to Lazaros Rota as he gets forward on the right.
Rota dances inside from the wing and then shoots. It’s not a good shot and he pulls it wide of the target.
From the goal kick Jordan Pickford takes his time getting the ball back in play and is booked for time wasting. There’s only been 27 minutes played!
Greece 0-1 England
24 mins: Giorgos Masouras drifts out wide on the right wing and waits for the ball to come over the top. It does and the pass makes Rico Lewis hesitant.
He decides to let the ball run through and then holds his ground long enough to turn the ball out for a throw in.
Greece 0-1 England
21 mins: Greece have conceded their first goal at home since Youssouf Fofana scored against them for France in November 2023. It’s almost a year since they’ve trailed at home.
England want to increase their lead and banish the memories of that defeat at Wembley last month.
Greece 0-1 England
18 mins: Gordon really fancies himself against Rota. He looks to go around the outside this time but just overruns the ball as Rota holds his own.
England threw men into the box and seem very hungry for goals tonight. A good start for the visitors.
Greece 0-1 England
“Ollie Watkins scored with his first touch of the ball, which offered Lee Carsley some immediate vindication after benching Harry Kane, even if it was the type of goal Kane might also have scored.
“It isn't a particularly hostile atmosphere in Athens but Conor Gallagher's needless yellow card, for kicking the ball away, brought the volume and means two of England's midfield trio are already booked.”
Greece 0-1 England
15 mins: England need another goal to move ahead of Greece in the table as they must improve their goal difference. Should they win this game, the higher the margin of victory the better for England.
Gallagher fouls Kostas Tsimikas as the left-back makes his way down the left wing. He needs to be careful as he’s already on a yellow card.
The free kick for Greece is lifted into the box and Jordan Pickford sprints out to punch it clear.
Greece 0-1 England
12 mins: Yellow card!
Bellingham and Christos Zafeiris were to two men tussling and the Englishman isn’t happy with the referee’s decision. He throws a few verbals towards the official and as a result gets shown a card.
Conor Gallagher joins him in the book shortly after for apparantly restricting a quick free kick from being taken. The referee seems card happy tonight.
Greece 0-1 England
10 mins: Gordon looks to weave around Rota once again but this time he loses possession. Rico Lewis, playing at left-back, drifts into the midfield for England and helps the press to recover the ball.
England win a throw in but a tussle involving Jude Bellingham ends up with the ball out of play.
GOAL! Greece 0-1 England (Ollie Watkins, 7 mins)
Lovely!
This is a superb goal from England. Jude Bellingham makes it by receiving the ball and flicking it round the corner for Noni Madueke’s run down the line.
The winger has loads of space to run into and he carries the ball into the box. He waits for the moment then rolls it over to Ollie Watkins who turns it home with the simplest of touches.
England lead!
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