England 1-2 Greece: Pavlidis Double Sinks Hosts
England's hopes of a perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying were dashed by a resilient Greece side who secured a stunning 2-1 victory at Old Trafford. A brace from the impressive Giorgos Pavlidis proved too much for the Three Lions, despite a late consolation goal from Harry Kane.
Greek Resilience Stuns Wembley
The atmosphere at Old Trafford was electric, with England fans expecting a comfortable victory. However, Greece, under the stewardship of Gus Poyet, were a different proposition than many anticipated. They pressed high, defended resolutely, and were clinical in attack.
Pavlidis's Double Seals the Win
The first goal came just before half-time. A well-worked move involving the impressive Anastasios Bakasetas culminated in Pavlidis calmly slotting the ball past Jordan Pickford. The second goal arrived early in the second half. A lightning-fast counter-attack saw Pavlidis race through the England defense before unleashing a powerful shot that left Pickford helpless.
Kane's Late Goal Offers Little Comfort
England did pull one back through a trademark Kane penalty, but it was too little too late. The Three Lions struggled to break down the well-organized Greek defense, and their lack of creativity in the final third was evident throughout the game.
England's Euro 2024 Ambitions Take a Hit
This result has cast a shadow over England's Euro 2024 campaign. Despite their dominance in the first half, they were ultimately undone by a lack of intensity and a lack of a cutting edge in attack. This defeat is a wake-up call for Southgate and his team, who will need to regroup quickly if they are to avoid any further setbacks.
Looking Ahead: Can England Bounce Back?
The defeat to Greece has put a dent in England's Euro 2024 aspirations, but the qualifying campaign is still long. With tough group games against Italy and Ukraine still to come, Southgate will need to find a way to get his team back on track. Can England learn from their mistakes and overcome this initial setback? Only time will tell.
Keywords: England, Greece, Euro 2024, qualifying, Pavlidis, Old Trafford, Kane, Southgate, football, soccer,
