England vs Greece: Vangelis Pavlidis’ Brace Stuns Wembley and Dents England’s Nations League Hopes
In a shocking upset at Wembley, Greece triumphed 2-1 over England in their UEFA Nations League clash, leaving interim manager Lee Carsley’s future in question. Greece’s Vangelis Pavlidis scored a second-half double, with his stoppage-time winner sealing a famous victory for the visitors and leaving England three points off the top spot in their group.
This match was more than just a battle for points for the Greek squad. They dedicated their emotional win to George Baldock, a team member who recently passed away. The team wore black armbands in his memory, and after Pavlidis’ stunning 94th-minute winner, the emotional celebration was marked by the players pointing to the sky in tribute. Baldock’s shirt was held up by substitute Dimitris Pelkas, making it clear that this victory meant much more than just a result.
Carsley’s decision to experiment with a striker-less system, featuring Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, and Cole Palmer rotating as false No. 9s, did not pay off. The approach, which had only been trialed for 20 minutes during practice, appeared disjointed and unfamiliar, with England’s attack looking overcrowded and their defense porous.
Greece capitalized on England’s defensive frailties. Levi Colwill made an acrobatic goal-line clearance to deny Tasos Bakasetas in the first half, but it was Pavlidis who danced past several England defenders to slot home Greece’s opener in the 50th minute. Greece had the ball in England’s net five times, but three of those were ruled out for offside.
England, playing without a recognized striker in Harry Kane’s absence, struggled to create chances. Their best opportunity fell to Palmer, who blasted over the bar, while Anthony Gordon also squandered a close-range header from a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross.
Despite Greece’s dominance, England found hope late in the game. Jude Bellingham, carrying the weight of his nation yet again, struck an 87th-minute equalizer, firing a long-range shot that was parried into the top corner by Greece’s goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. The goal briefly appeared to rescue a point for England and keep their Nations League hopes alive.
However, just as the game seemed destined for a draw, Greece had the last word. In stoppage time, Pavlidis completed his brace with a composed finish after a chaotic scramble in England’s box, handing Greece a well-deserved 2-1 victory.
England’s Nations League Struggles Continue
The defeat leaves England trailing in their Nations League group and raises significant questions about Carsley’s tactical decisions and future. Greece, ranked 48th by FIFA, outplayed and outthought the Three Lions for much of the match. With Carsley admitting post-match that the tactical experiment was a risk that didn’t pay off, his previously promising campaign as interim manager now looks uncertain.
“I think we were second best for a lot of tonight,” Carsley reflected. “It’s disappointing, but it’s important we respond against Finland.” England face a crucial game against Finland on Sunday, October 13, where they will need a victory to revive their chances of winning the group.
For Greece, this victory marks the first time they’ve beaten England, and the first time they’ve scored at Wembley. Pavlidis’ performance was nothing short of heroic, with his clinical finishing and tireless work rate troubling England’s defense throughout the game. The Greek players were visibly emotional at full-time, dedicating the win to their fallen teammate, Baldock.
John Stones, who captained England in this match, admitted Greece were the better side. “On a personal note, I’m absolutely gutted,” he said. “We have to give credit to them… they were very compact, and we found it difficult.”
Greece’s manager Ivan Jovanovic masterminded a tactical victory over Carsley, exploiting England’s defensive vulnerabilities while keeping them at bay with a compact defensive setup. With this win, Greece now sit in a strong position in the Nations League group, while England are left to pick up the pieces ahead of their next match.
With England’s Nations League hopes now in serious doubt, all eyes will be on how Carsley’s side responds against Finland. After such a disjointed display, questions will inevitably be asked about whether the experimental tactics should continue, especially with Harry Kane likely to return to the fold.
Carsley remains optimistic, stating that his remit is to handle the next three camps, but the pressure is mounting. Sunday’s match against Finland will now be pivotal in deciding England’s fortunes in the Nations League, as well as Carsley’s own future at the helm.