Evening Standard
·10 October 2024
In partnership with
Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·10 October 2024
England fell to first defeat under Lee Carsley
England suffered their first stumble under Lee Carsley as Vangelis Pavlidis’ 94th-minute winner earned Greece a famous 2-1 win at Wembley. The interim Three Lions boss named an incredibly attacking lineup in a clear sign of intent, but that came at a cost on the pitch as Greece regularly took advantage of an almost non-existent England midfield at times to cause significant problems.
Only a sensational Levi Colwill goal-line clearance and then the offside flag denied Greece an opener, with Cole Palmer blazing over from close-range the only real chance England created in a goalless first-half. Greece deservedly took the lead after the break, as Vangelis Pavlidis was allowed to twist away from three England players in the box and drill a low strike beyond Jordan Pickford.
Giorgos Masouras and then Pavlidis had finishes ruled out for offside, Greece by now having found the back of the net four times but only having one goal to show for it. That appeared to prove costly for the visitors, as Bellingham stepped up with three minutes of normal time remaining. Ollie Watkins’ cut-back rolled through to the Real Madrid midfielder on the edge of the box, and his guided effort had too much power for Odysseas Vlachodimos.
But fittingly it was Greece and Pavlidis to have the final say, and this time VAR did not save England. The hosts had several chances to clear the ball in their own box, could not do so and it fell for Pavlidis to leave Wembley stunned.
Live updates
10 minutes ago
England had so many warning signs, but they didn’t react.
Greece continue to threaten and in the end they got their reward.
20 minutes ago
And it is a famous win for Greece at Wembley!
Have to say it was deserved, they took full advantage of a disjointed England display.
20 minutes ago
90+6 mins: Still we play on.
But Colwill is too clumsy with the challenge, free-kick. Greece in no rush...
24 minutes ago
GREECE HAVE WON IT!
They have the ball in the net for a fifth time tonight... this will count!
England have about four chances to clear, can’t do so and it falls for Pavlidis. Ruthless finish.
27 minutes ago
90 mins: Five minutes added on.
There is still time for England to win this. Bellingham repeatedly calling for more noise from the crowd.
30 minutes ago
There was absolutely no chance of Palmer getting his toes on that one. Bellingham was belting his way into the box, called Palmer to leave it, and he did to good effect.
England finally on terms. He calls on the crowd to raise their voices and help the hosts in the final minutes here.
30 minutes ago
Of course Bellingham delivers!
He’s been so quiet in the second-half, but he steps up when England needed it.
Watkins’ cut-back rolls all the way through to Bellingham just outside the area, and he gets another power on the finish to find the back of the net.
33 minutes ago
England ambling towards a humbling defeat here, until VAR disallows Pavlidis's second goal for offside.
Greece, by the way, have had the ball in the net four times.
34 minutes ago
VAR rules it out for offside. That was very tight.
Just the three goals disallowed for Greece tonight now. They have been superb.
35 minutes ago
And that should be that!
A mess at the back from England yet again and Pavlidis has his second, turning in from close range.
Latest updatesOlder updates
Live