In the shadow of the unfortunate Loss Of george baldock, our national team managed to secure a Historic "double" At wembley With a 2-1 Win over england in The 3rd matchday Of The Nations league. the greek team's main protagonist Was Vangelis pavlidis, who scored both goals in the 49th and 4th Minutes of injury time, while jude bellingham had equalized In the 83rd Minute.
The match started with a great save by Odysseas Vlachodimou on a shot by Bellingham from the height of the area. In the 11th minute, our national team had a double phase due to incredible "blunders" by Jordan Pickford! Initially, the Everton goalkeeper came out of his area and did not clear the ball, Bakasetas stole a shot, but Colwill saved on the line. From the corner that was executed and the header of Kourbelis, Pickford caught "air" on the way out and Mavropanos scored, but he was in an offside position.
The biggest chance for England was missed by Palmer, who received Bellingham's ideal assist in the 23rd minute but shot dangerously wide. Overall, in the first half, the Greeks managed to respond excellently to the English pressure, constantly "building" attacks from the last line of defense and avoiding panic moves. They also had the big moment with Bakaseta on Pickford's mistake and generally stood out excellently on the Wembley pitch.
And in the 49th minute, a… historic moment took place. Pavlidis received the ball from Koulierakis inside the area, surrounded by 4 English defenders. With excellent feints, he “danced” and sent the ball into Pickford’s corner, scoring the first goal for the Greek national team at Wembley. Immediately, the players went to the bench and raised shirts with Baldock’s name, to earn applause, even from the disappointed home fans.
In the 61st minute, Watkins missed his first touch with the ball from a very advantageous position, with England increasing the pressure, but our internationals responding exemplary.
In the 83rd minute, a goal by Pavlidis was ruled out for offside, which would have sealed the triumph. Unfortunately, three minutes later, a stunning shot by Jude Bellingham from the edge of the area made it 1-1.
Certainly, a draw would have been a great success for Greece, but they had every right to feel that they deserved something more. and They got it!
In the 4th minute of injury time, Pavlidis took advantage of confusion in the home team's area and, with a diagonal shot, gave our national team the biggest victory of the last 20 years.
Referee: Andrea Colombo (Italy)
Yellow: Saka, Rice – Koulierakis, Kourbelis, Pelkas
ENGLAND (Lee Carlsey): Pickford, Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Colwill, Lewis, Rice, Palmer, Fonten (72' Solanke), Bellingham, Saka (52' Mandueke), Gordon (60' Watkins) GREECE (Ivan Jovanovic): Vlachodimos, Giannoulis, Mavropanos, Koulierakis, Rota, Siopis (66' Zafeiris), Kourbelis (74' Mandalos), Bakasetas (86' Vayannidis), Tzolis (86' Konstantelias), Masouras (66' Pelkas), Pavlidis
* A minute's silence in memory of George Baldon was observed before the start of the match. The stadium's floodlights bore the photograph of the late Greek international and the advertising signs behind one goal bore his name. Players from both teams played with black armbands.
