England avenged their Greek oddity at Wembley by seizing control of automatic promotion hopes from Group B2 in the Nations League with a 3-0 victory in Athens capped by a superb Curtis Jones back-heeled finish.
Provided Lee Carsley ends his spell as interim boss with a victory of any kind against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, new manager Thomas Tuchel will avoid beginning his reign next March with a play-off, but instead the fresh slate of a set of World Cup Qualifiers.
The Three Lions, who were beaten at home by Greece last month, got off to the perfect start as Ollie Watkins justified his selection with a close-range finish after excellent play involving Noni Madueke and Jude Bellingham down the right flank (7).
Watkins justified Lee Carsley’s decision to start him
Greece had lost all four previous home games against England but knew they would seal automatic promotion to the Nations League top tier if they avoided defeat. Fotis Ioannidis was presented with their best chance but Jordan Pickford tipped his shot around the post.
England, who were hampered by nine withdrawals since Carsley named his squad for his final camp, absorbed a period of pressure to find the goals they needed to take control of the group as Bellingham’s marauding run and shot struck the post before ricocheting over the line via the back of the hapless goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
It moved England above Greece by virtue of a superior head-to-head – but Jones’ audacious flick from substitute Morgan Gibbs-White’s cross put the seal on a hugely impressive victory in hostile surroundings. Provided England match – or better – Greece’s result in the final round of fixtures, they will be promoted to League A.
How England wrestled control of their destiny
Watkins guides his first-time finish into the net
Tuchel’s tenure starts in less than 50 days, and he looks set to avoid an unnecessary schedule disruptor. England played with urgency throughout the second half in their desperation to find the goals which means they leapfrog their opponents.
Before Vlachodimos’ misfortune, Rico Lewis drew a good save before Bellingham clipped the post with a header from another teasing Madueke cross.
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Sky Sports’ Lee Hendrie talks through England’s opener by Ollie Watkins against Greece in their Nations League fixture.
This interim period for England has drifted into an uneasy holding pattern. There has been criticism of the decision for Tuchel to start his position on January 1, and he knows he therefore needs a fast start during his first camp in March.
England’s Jude Bellingham impressed in the No 10 role
Carlsey spoke about needing to create more leaders in the group as justification for giving Watkins the chance to start ahead of Harry Kane, besides his ability to stretch defences. He called on his players to dilute a hostile atmosphere in Athens, with the ultimate goal of winning the World Cup.
Right now, that still feels a long way away, but throughout his time in the hot seat, Carsley has looked to evolve England in the post-Gareth Southgate era. Kyle Walker captained the side for only the third time on his 92nd appearance but five of the starting XI had fewer than 10 caps.
Jordan Pickford was kept busy in the second period
With the nine players withdrawn from the squad, with it went 241 caps worth of experience but Watkins’ early opener settled any nerves. It was the first goal Greece have conceded on home soil in a year, but they very nearly levelled when Kostas Tsimikas combined well down the left to draw a smart save from Pickford at his near post.
The brilliance of Madueke going forward was a feature of the first half, but it was Bellingham who stood out across the piece with his power to force England’s second goal. Here was a reminder of the strength in depth that Tuchel will possess, typified by Jones’ uplifting flick.
Carsley’s bold selection backfired last month but worked this time. England are on course for promotion.
Carsley impressed by debutants
Bellingham and Noni Madueke combined for the opener
Interim England boss Lee Carsley speaking to ITV:
“We are moving in the right direction. Big game on Sunday at Wembley. Important we now recover and get ready for that.
“It was important that the players played to their strength. It was about players getting an opportunity and we saw that tonight.
“Curtis [Jones] is an outstanding player and I am delighted for him. These players play week in and week out in the Premier League.
“Morgan Rogers has been really good for Villa and maybe could have been in the senior squad sooner.”
An excellent night for England
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Lee Hendrie praised Curtis Jones’ goal, his first one in international football, as England moved into a 3-0 lead over Greece in the Nations League.
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett in Athens:
“An excellent night for England, and for Lee Carsley who took a huge and (for me) unwarranted gamble, leaving Harry Kane on the bench. But the man he picked in his place, Ollie Watkins, opened the scoring within seven minutes, and England went on to win comfortably in the end.
“Curtis Jones will remember Athens for the night when he made his senior debut and scored a sublime goal – one that it will be tough to better in whatever remains of his England career.
England’s Jude Bellingham has hit form again
“Jude Bellingham was once again outstanding, and behind much of the good stuff that England mustered, but his goal-deserving shot will go down as a Vlachodimos own-goal.
“In truth, 3-0 flatters England somewhat. It might have been very different, had Jordan Pickford not made two world-class saves when the game was still very much in the balance.
“But the facts remain – England are now top of their Nations League group, and look very well placed for promotion back to the elite company of Group A – barring an unlikely upset from Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday.”
What’s next?
England’s final Nations League game, and Lee Carsley’s last in charge, sees the Republic of Ireland visit Wembley on Sunday, kick-off 5pm.
