England’s clash against Greece in the UEFA Nations League marked a night of big changes and even bigger performances. Lee Carsley made a bold decision to drop Harry Kane, a rare occurrence for England’s star forward, especially in a crucial match. With a spot in the Nations League’s A section on the line, Carsley’s choice paid off, as England produced a strong 3-0 victory over Greece.
Carsley faced the challenge with a relatively inexperienced squad. Kane’s absence opened the door for Ollie Watkins, who quickly made his presence felt, scoring in the seventh minute. Noni Madueke, energetic on the right wing, initiated the move that led to the goal. After a neat exchange with Jude Bellingham, Madueke cut back to find Watkins, who finished with ease. It was exactly the kind of start England needed to control the momentum.
Curtis Jones, earning his first cap, emerged as one of the night’s standout players. His composure and vision in central midfield were evident, culminating in a spectacular moment that saw him score England’s third goal with a dazzling back-heeled finish from a Morgan Gibbs-White pass. It was a moment of skill and confidence that underscored the night’s theme: new players rising to the occasion.
Bellingham was also a key figure throughout, and his efforts paid off when he helped force England’s second goal. His surging run led to a shot that hit the post, only to deflect in off Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. With England moving to the top of their group on head-to-head results, they are now just one win away from promotion, needing to beat the Republic of Ireland at Wembley to secure the top spot.
The game was not without its challenges. England had to contend with a hostile Greek crowd, with fans attempting to disrupt play by shining green lasers into the players’ faces. Additionally, referee Daniel Siebert’s strict officiating style meant the team had to tread carefully. Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford all received yellow cards in the first half, making the threat of a red card loom large.
Greece had one notable opportunity in the first half, when Kostas Tsimikas exchanged passes with Christos Tzolis and aimed a low shot at the near corner. Pickford’s quick reflexes kept England in control, though they remained cautious of Greece’s ability to counterattack.
Despite this, England maintained control leading up to halftime. Bellingham’s physicality and dynamic runs kept Greece on the back foot, with his determined drives often cutting through the opposition’s midfield. Just before the break, Rico Lewis set up Watkins with a promising through-ball, though Watkins was unable to capitalize fully.
As the second half began, Carsley watched as Jones continued to grow in confidence, consistently moving the ball forward and looking to create openings. Madueke also stayed aggressive, particularly against Tsimikas, who was eventually subbed off after struggling to contain the winger. Madueke had several good moments, including a cross for Bellingham that led to a near goal after the latter’s header rebounded off the post.
Gallagher had a close call in the second half when he challenged Christos Zafeiris, though the Greek midfielder exaggerated the contact. Greece countered, with substitute Fotis Ioannidis managing a shot after holding off Kyle Walker, but Pickford made another critical save.
Carsley utilized his substitutes effectively, introducing Lewis Hall at left-back for his debut and later bringing in Morgan Rogers and Kane in a triple substitution. Rogers played his part with a creative pass that set Bellingham up to assist in the build-up to England’s second goal. The match concluded with Jones’s sensational back-heel goal, a finish that capped off a memorable night for England’s next generation.
