ENGLAND 1-2 GREECE: Carsley’s Interim Hopes Falter as Greece Snatches Victory Despite Bellingham’s Late Heroics
Jude Bellingham’s last-minute goal couldn’t save England from defeat as Greece clinched a late winner, dealing a blow to Lee Carsley’s ambitions of securing the England job full-time.
The first half was a sluggish display from England, where Greece appeared more threatening. Jordan Pickford’s error nearly gifted the visitors an early goal, only for Levi Colwill’s remarkable clearance to save the day just 10 minutes in.
Despite a forward-heavy lineup, the Three Lions lacked bite without a traditional striker on the pitch, struggling to create chances in the opening 45 minutes.
The second half saw a defensive lapse from England that allowed Greece’s Vangelis Pavlidis to slip through and score, giving the visitors the lead. Greece took the moment to pay tribute to their former teammate George Baldock.
Carsley eventually turned to Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke to boost the attack, but Greece remained dangerous, seeing three goals ruled offside before Bellingham’s late equalizer. However, poor defending reared its head again in stoppage time, with Pavlidis bagging his second goal to seal the upset.
No Striker Gamble Falls Flat
Carsley’s bold decision to start without a traditional striker in Harry Kane’s absence raised eyebrows. While both Solanke and Watkins were available, the manager opted for a more fluid attack, hoping to unlock England’s creativity.
“It gave us a chance to try something and be creative,” Carsley said before the match. “We talk about how exciting and flexible we can be, so I was looking forward to seeing that.”
Unfortunately, Wembley saw little of the expected creativity in the first half. England’s forward line struggled, and they were often caught short in defense. Watkins, who came on just before the hour mark, quickly found a chance but blazed it over, hinting he might have been the better choice to start.
Crucial Night for Carsley’s Audition
For Carsley, this match carried extra weight. Though it wasn’t going to match the legendary drama of Beckham’s Greece free-kick in 2001, the Nations League tie was still pivotal. Many believed a strong group stage performance could earn Carsley the permanent role.
With Greece leading the group before kickoff, the Three Lions had the chance to set the record straight against a team ranked 44 spots below them. Instead, the defeat only raised more questions.
Carsley still has three matches left in his interim run, but Thursday night’s setback means he’ll need to impress in those games to keep public support on his side.
Pickford’s Nervous Moments
Jordan Pickford, usually a rock for England, had a shaky evening. A mistake early in the game nearly cost England a goal, as the Everton keeper lost the ball outside his area, only for Colwill to save him with a goal-line clearance.
Pickford’s struggles continued when he flapped at a corner shortly afterward, though an offside flag spared his blushes. While Pickford remains England’s undisputed No.1, the night served as a reminder that his position isn’t untouchable.
Alexander-Arnold’s Place to Lose?
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s versatility makes him a valuable asset, but the Greece game marked the first time the Liverpool star had started three consecutive matches for England. At 26, he seems set to inherit the right-back role from aging competitors like Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier.
Though England’s overall performance was underwhelming, Alexander-Arnold showed his ability to contribute both in attack and midfield, offering flexibility that could make him a key player for the future.
Can Foden and Bellingham Coexist?
The pairing of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham remains a work in progress. In the first half, the two were positioned far apart, with Bellingham playing as a false nine and Foden taking a deeper midfield role. Neither player was particularly effective, although Bellingham had a few moments of promise.
When Watkins came on and Bellingham moved back to midfield, Foden shifted to a more advanced role but was soon replaced.
Despite the tactical tweaks, it was Bellingham who delivered a crucial moment, scoring a late goal to keep England in the game. While the Foden-Bellingham dynamic may still need refining, Bellingham’s spot in the team seems assured after another impactful performance.
