ENGLAND 1, GREECE 2
England created a piece of unwanted history as they suffered a first-ever defeat to Greece, a team currently 48th in the world – they are the lowest ranked team ever to win on English soil.
It was a hugely disappointing night for interim manager Lee Carsley as England, starting with five attacking players but no recognised striker, were second best.
Greece, who had never scored at Wembley, found the net twice with both goals scored by Vangelis Pavlidis who plays club football for top Portuguese side Benfica.
Pavlidis’ second was a dramatic 94th minute winner after Jude Bellingham had clawed England back into the game with a 87th minute equaliser.
It leaves England second in Nations League B, Group 2 and realistically having to win in Greece if they are to have any chance of topping the group.
In truth, England were second best as Greece also had two further goals ruled out for offside and were denied another by a spectacular goalline clearance by Levi Colwill.
Carsley admitted his experimental line-up didn’t work: “It was a challenging night for us. We were second best for a lot of tonight, it is disappointing. You are going to get setbacks and it’s important we respond.
“We tried something different and tried to overload the midfield. We tried it for 20 minutes yesterday, we experimented, and disappointed it didn’t come off. It’s unrealistic to expect too much and we will have to try again. All the goals were from mistakes, which is disappointing.
“It is definitely an option going forward. When you have someone of Kane’s quality though it rules it out when he is available. You have to have the courage and ability to try things.
“We tried something different. It doesn’t change anything. My remit is to do the three camps.
“Greece played well and were highly motivated.”
Captain John Stones summed up the disappointment, saying: “On a personal note, absolutely gutted. To have a result like that with the armband for the first time.
“We prepared like we normally do and it didn’t come off. From the start they put us right under pressure. They were very compact.
“We know the system as players and when we are out there as players, we have to deliver. The onus is on us to deliver – and we didn’t.
“A difficult night, a lot was riding on it for me personally and we saw it as a great opportunity to top the group. We have to move forward.”
With Kane ruled out through injury, England went without a proper striker as Bellingham was the false nine.
Jack Grealish was also ruled out while Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins were on the bench as were late call-ups Curtis Jones and Tino Livramento.
Embed from Getty ImagesThere were also starts for Cole Palmer, Rico Lewis and Levi Colwill while Stones took over the captaincy from Kane.
It was a hugely emotional night for Greece who the previous night learned of international George Baldock’s death aged just 31. He was found dead in the swimming pool at his villa in Athens.
The Greek FA had sought a postponement of the friendly as their players were reported to be devastated by the death of their team-mate, but it was turned down by UEFA because of the congested fixture list.
Baldock had left Sheffield United in the summer to join Greek club Panathinaikos.
Bellingham had the first goal attempt in the third minute as he wriggled free before his shot from outside the penalty area was brilliant tipped over the bar by keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Palmer also went close with a free kick bent over the defensive wall but rippling the roof of the net.
Jordan Pickford was involved in two moments of madness in quick succession.
He dribbled outside his area only to be robbed by Tasos Bakasetas whose shot was spectacularly cleared off the line by Colwill who made up an enormous amount of ground to get back.
Pickford then failed to catch a corner with West Ham’s Ntinos Mavropanos heading home, but from an offside position.
They were at sixes and sevens again defensively as Bakasetas had a goalbound shot blocked by Stones.
England carved out another chance as Bellingham cut the ball back to Palmer who blazed over when he ought to have found the net.
There was a shock as England fell behind in the 49th minute after further sloppy defensive play.
Pavlidis was crowded out by four players as he received a pass from Giorgos Masouras, but wriggled free of his markers to fire low past Pickford.
There was a touching tribute from the Greek players who celebrated with a shirt bearing the name of Baldock.
Bukayo Saka then limped off to be replaced by Chelsea’s Noni Madueka.
Greece, deadly on the break, had the ball in the net again but Pavlidis had strayed offside before crossing the ball to scorer Masouras.
Carsley brought on Ollie Watkins for Anthony Gordon, and he immediately had a chance but fired over.
Greece thought they had doubled their advantage in the 83rd minute when Christos Tzolis crossed from the left for Pavlidis to fire home only for it to be ruled out by VAR for offside by the tiniest of margins.
It looked to be a defining moment of the match as four minutes later England were level when Solanke cut the ball back to the edge of the box for Bellingham to find the net with a thunderous drive.
Greece hit back with the winner as they capitalised on a mix-up between Colwill and Lewis with Pavlidis firing home from about eight yards to secure victory which was dedicated to Baldock.