Although the vengeance is best served cold, the Englishmen couldn’t wait long! After only a month since the shocking 2-1 defeat at Wembley, England smashed Greece 3-0 and returned to the leading position in the group.Ollie Watkins opened the scoring after only seven minutes, indicating what kind of match we’d watch. Greece had a chance to return through Tsimikas, but England had the advantage at the break. Jude Bellingham hit the post twice – the first time without consequences for the Greeks, but the second time was fatal, as the ball deflected off the keeper Vlachodimos’ back into the net for 2-0. Curtis Jones set the final score with a beautiful heel shot, making it 3-0 in his national team debut.1982 – Curtis Jones is the first Liverpool player to score on his England debut since Sammy Lee back in November 1982, also in an away game against Greece. Flick. pic.twitter.com/lqL9XsrKGm— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 14, 2024 Ahead of the clash between Greece and England in Athens, pride was at stake as the Englishmen wanted to protect their other cheek since they had already been slapped in the face a month ago at Wembley. Regardless, Lee Carsley sprung several surprises, leaving the captain Harry Kane on the bench and giving a chance in the XI to Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins instead.England were very motivated to set things straight and take their vengeance on Greece for the recent 2-1 defeat in London, proving that already after seven minutes! Noni Madueke, arguably the Three Lions’ most active player in the first half, made a tremendous solo effort over the right flank and crossed it in for Watkins, who made it 1-0!Still, Carsley’s men were somewhat nervous as Jude Bellingham and Conor Gallagher were booked in the span of only 30 seconds, already after ten minutes. It took Greece half an hour to catch their breath and threaten. Konstantinos Tsimikas rushed into the box from the left side and powerfully launched an effort, which Jordan Pickford terrifically stopped.The goal and Liverpool defender’s chance were the only notable moments before the break, as the early lead made England focus on a more cautious tactic, while the Greeks did not have enough firepower to jeopardize the Three Lions’ advantage.Palmer: ‘It was frustrating at England’; Kane: ‘England comes before anything’The half-time break brought little to Greece as the picture from the first 45 minutes did not change in the second. Moreover, Bellingham threw the first punch in the 55th minute, but his strike crashed against the post. His team could have been punished for his miss eight minutes later, but Pickford once more came to the rescue, amazingly deflecting Fotis Ioannidis’ close-range shot.Yet, in the 78th minute, the Real Madrid midfielder had more luck than 23 minutes earlier! Once again, he hit the post, but the ball deflected off Greece custodian Odysseas Vlachodimos’ back and crossed the goal line! Although Bellingham was not fortunate enough to put his name on the score sheet, he could have been thrilled as his team had a 2-0 lead.OH MY WORD WHAT A GOAL BY CURITS JONES 🏴 😍pic.twitter.com/i7FoP99cq4— Benny’s Football Tips (@BennyBoyTips) November 14, 2024 Finally, five minutes later, the most beautiful moment of the game happened! The sub, Morgan Gibbs-White, sent a low cross in for Curtis Jones, who netted a marvellous heel shot, and in his debut for the national team – 3-0!Even though the Greeks’ hopes were high after the Wembley duel, England completely crushed them in Athens. With this triumph, Carsley’s boys took over the top spot, and if they note the expected victory over the Republic of Ireland in three days, they’ll return to the A league of the UEFA Nations League.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE – GROUP STAGEDivision AThursday Belgium – Italy 0-1 (0-1)/Tonali 11/France – Israel 0-0Friday 22.45: (4.70) Denmark (3.50) Spain (1.80)22.45: (1.27) Portugal (5.90) Poland (10.5)22.45: (3.40) Scotland (3.40) Croatia (2.15)22.45: (1.85) Switzerland (3.60) Serbia (4.80)Saturday 22.45: (1.15) Germany (8.00) B&H (16.0)22.45: (1.40) Netherlands (4.70) Hungary (8.00)Sunday 22.45: (3.40) Italy (3.35) France (2.30)Division BThursday Kazakhstan – Austria 0-2 (0-2)/Baumgartner 15, Gregoritsch 25/Greece – England 0-3 (0-1)/Watkins 7, Vlachodimos 78 og, Jones 83/R.Ireland – Finland 1-0 (1-0)/Ferguson 45/Slovenia – Norway 1-4 (1-2)/Sesko 21 pen – Nusa 4, 59, Haaland 45, Hauge 82/Saturday 20.00: (2.50) Georgia (3.25) Ukraine (2.90)20.00: (2.50) Montenegro (3.25) Iceland (2.90)20.00: (1.77) Turkey (3.50) Wales (4.90)22.45: (3.20) Albania (3.30) Czech R. (2.30)Sunday 20.00: (1.22) England (6.25) R.Ireland (14.0)***odds are subject to change***
