England avenged their earlier defeat at Wembley in style, securing a 3-0 victory against Greece at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. This crucial win places the Three Lions at the top of League B Group 2 in the UEFA Nations League (UNL), with only one game remaining. England’s dominance on the pitch was evident as the contest unfolded, but Greece’s resilience kept them in the game until late strikes ensured a decisive result.
Early England Dominance Despite Squad Challenges
Much of the build-up to the match was dominated by talk of England’s squad problems, with nine players forced to withdraw. Captain Harry Kane was absent from the starting line-up, leaving Ollie Watkins to step up. Watkins wasted no time proving his worth, scoring seven minutes into the match. Credit for the opener goes to Noni Madueke, who dribbled brilliantly to the byline before setting up the Aston Villa striker for a simple tap-in.
Despite holding the lion’s share of possession, England couldn’t extend their lead in the first half. Greece, unbeaten until this point in the group, nearly equalized with a fierce effort from Kostas Tsimikas, forcing Jordan Pickford into a sharp save. England, however, went into halftime with a narrow 1-0 lead.
Second Half Surge: Bellingham’s Influence
England manager Lee Carsley made a tactical adjustment for the second half, bringing on Lewis Hall to provide more balance in midfield. The change paid off as the Three Lions pressed hard to double their lead. Rico Lewis fired a snapshot well-saved by Greek keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, but the pressure was mounting. Once again, Jude Bellingham showed his class and was unlucky not to score when his header hit the post.
With Greece still in the game, Jordan Pickford was called into action, making key saves to deny substitute Fotis Ioannidis and dealing with a dangerous set-piece delivery that threatened to bring the hosts level.
Late Goals Seal the Victory
The game remained poised as the clock ticked into the final 15 minutes. However, England’s standout player throughout Bellingham delivered a moment of magic. Charging at the Greek defense, he unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, which hit the post before bouncing off the back of Vlachodimos and into the net. This fortuitous goal gave England the breathing space they needed at 2-0.
Just five minutes later, England put the result beyond doubt. Substitute Morgan Gibbs-White made an instant impact, cutting the ball back to Curtis Jones, who calmly slotted home for his debut goal. The 3-0 scoreline left no room for doubt as England celebrated a comprehensive win.
Greece’s Hopes Dashed, England Eye Promotion
Greece, hoping to make history by securing promotion to UNL League A, missed their opportunity with this defeat. They have now lost all five head-to-head encounters with England on home soil. For the Three Lions, this result leaves them in pole position to top the group, thanks to their superior goal difference.
Looking ahead, Greece will travel to face bottom-placed Finland, while England take on the Republic of Ireland in what will be Lee Carsley’s last game as interim manager. With momentum on their side, England is in a prime position to secure promotion.
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