Indonesia
Nigeria
South Africa

Greece0 - 3England

sportsmole.co.uk, 14 November 2024, 21:40
England have risen to the top of Group 2 of League B in the UEFA Nations League courtesy of a 3-0 victory over Greece in Athens on Thursday night.

Lee Carsley's side entered the match knowing that they needed a two-goal success to ensure that they would be at the top of the section heading into their final fixture with Republic of Ireland, and the Three Lions managed to score three unanswered goals.

England made the breakthrough in the seventh minute of the contest, with Ollie Watkins turning a Noni Madueke cross into the back of the net from close range to score his fifth goal in a Three Lions shirt.

Watkins was picked ahead of Harry Kane, who had hit the headlines on Wednesday night when he criticised the players who have withdrawn from the England squad during the current international break.

There had been talk of a potential injury for Kane, but interim head coach Carsley revealed ahead of the match that Watkins was being given the chance 'to become a leader'; he certainly made the most of his opportunity, and the goal would have been a relief, having not scored in his last five games for Aston Villa.

Jude Bellingham headed against the post early in the second period, before Fotis Ioannidis was denied by an excellent save from Jordan Pickford, with Greece coming close to levelling the scores.

England doubled their advantage in the 78th minute of the contest, though, with Bellingham's strike after an excellent run coming off the post before hitting the back of Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and dropping into the back of the net.

The visitors then made it 3-0 in the 83rd minute, as Curtis Jones scored a debut goal by flicking a cross from Morgan Gibbs-White into the bottom corner.

England are now ahead of second-placed Greece on goal difference, meaning that any win over Republic of Ireland on Sunday would see them top the group and earn promotion to League A, but a draw or a defeat could see them finish second, which would mean a spot in the promotion playoffs.

GREECE VS. ENGLAND HIGHLIGHTS

Ollie Watkins goal vs. Greece (7th min, Greece 0-1 England)

England make the breakthrough in the seventh minute of the contest, and the goal comes from Watkins, with the striker turning a low cross from Madueke into the back of the net from close range; England have struck early in this key Nations League clash.

Odysseas Vlachodimos own goal vs. Greece (78th min, Greece 0-2 England)

England double their advantage in the 78th minute of the match, and it is unfortunate for the Greece goalkeeper, as a strike from Bellingham comes off the post before hitting Vlachodimos and dropping into the back of the net.

Curtis Jones goal vs. Greece (83rd min, Greece 0-3 England)

Jones caps his England debut with a wonderful goal, as the Liverpool midfielder flicks a cross from Gibbs-White into the back of the net, with the Three Lions taking a 3-0 lead in Athens.

MAN OF THE MATCH - JORDAN PICKFORD

Pickford demonstrated on Thursday night why he is England's number one goalkeeper; the Everton man made an excellent save in the first half to deny Kostas Tsimikas, before keeping out Ioannidis in the second period.

The 30-year-old made four saves in total during a brilliant performance between the sticks, and incoming head coach Thomas Tuchel will have no issues when it comes to selecting him, as there is not another English goalkeeper close to him.

GREECE VS. ENGLAND MATCH STATS

Possession: Greece 43%-57% England

Shots: Greece 10-9 England

Shots on target: Greece 5-5 England

Corners: Greece 4-3 England

Fouls: Greece 18-10 England

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Any win for England over Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday evening would see them finish at the top of the section and earn promotion, but a draw or a defeat would open the door for Greece.

Ivan Jovanovic's side are now second in the section, and they will finish away to Finland on Sunday, looking for a victory and then hoping for a favour from Republic of Ireland in order to finish at the summit.

Top News

28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly giving more thought to making a fresh move for Inter Milan forward Marcus Thuram. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are allegedly open to signing an alternative to goalkeeper Andre Onana. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly planning to make an approach for Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap during a future transfer window. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Only one point separates Serie A strugglers Como and Lecce ahead of their final fixture of 2024, as they prepare to meet at Stadio Sinigaglia on Monday. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Empoli vs. Genoa (Saturday, 2.00pm) Both beaten by Serie A title contenders just before Christmas, Empoli and Genoa will meet for their final fixture of 2024 on Saturday afternoon. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Real Madrid reportedly decide against signing Virgil van Dijk for free in the summer of 2025, and only hold interest in Trent Alexander-Arnold. 28 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Cristiano Ronaldo backs Ruben Amorim to succeed at Manchester United and insists that the club's future is bright. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite is yet to sign a new contract with the Toffees and could be the subject of a transfer battle between Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite is yet to sign a new contract with the Toffees and could be the subject of a transfer battle between Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has revealed that Raheem Sterling should return from injury quicker than expected, but Bukayo Saka has undergone surgery on his hamstring problem. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk In their 24th Championship game of the season, Norwich City are set to host Queens Park Rangers at Carrow Road on Sunday. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to keep their flawless December record intact, Birmingham City will host Blackpool at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park in League One on Sunday afternoon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Casa Pia will be looking to secure a third consecutive victory for the first time since November 2022 when they lock horns with Braga at the Estadio Braga Municipal on Sunday. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the match as Arsenal recorded a 1-0 victory over Ipswich Town in Friday night's Premier League contest at the Emirates Stadium. 27 December 2024 talksport.com Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday are locking horns in the race for Australian teen sensation Thomas Waddingham, talkSPORT understands. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The final League Two gameweek of the calendar year sees table-topping Walsall aiming for a sixth consecutive win as they welcome Newport County to Poundland Bescot Stadium this weekend. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Sporting Lisbon and Benfica bring their schedule for 2024 to an end with a thrilling top-of-the-table clash when they lock horns at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in round 16 of the Primeira Liga on Sunday. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Farense SC and Vitoria de Guimaraes bring their year to a close when they lock horns at the Estadio de Sao Luis in round 16 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Sunday. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Swansea City will be aiming to make it successive wins in the Championship when they continue their campaign with a home fixture against Luton Town on Sunday afternoon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Fulham are again sweating over the fitness of Emile Smith Rowe for Sunday's Premier League clash with Bournemouth. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Two teams enjoying excellent campaigns will lock horns for an intriguing Premier League contest on Sunday afternoon, with Fulham welcoming Bournemouth to Craven Cottage. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest are set to be without the services of midfielder Ryan Yates for the trip to Everton in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Everton could be prepared to welcome back the services of winger Dwight McNeil for the Premier League battle with Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Following a hard-fought point at the home of the faltering champions earlier in the week, Everton will continue their festive schedule with the visit of Champions League-chasing Nottingham Forest. 27 December 2024 talksport.com Cristiano Ronaldo has sensationally claimed the Saudi Pro League is superior to Ligue 1. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur are all reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain attacker Randal Kolo Muani during the January transfer window. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester City are reportedly considering triggering the release clause of Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi during the January transfer window due to their ongoing issues. 27 December 2024 talksport.com Leeds United have released a statement to condemn chants about Manor Solomon. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United have reportedly made an offer for Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes.