England 1-2 Greece: Pavlidis Double Stuns at Wembley
England's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign got off to a nightmare start as they suffered a shock 1-2 defeat to Greece at Wembley Stadium on Friday.
It was a night to forget for Gareth Southgate's side, who were completely outplayed by a determined Greek side. The visitors took the lead in the 51st minute when Giorgos Pavlidis headed home a cross from Kostas Tsimikas.
England were unable to find a way back into the game, and Pavlidis sealed the victory for Greece in the 85th minute with a stunning volley.
The result leaves England in a precarious position in Group C, with a trip to face Ukraine next up on Monday.
England's Stuttering Start
The Three Lions struggled to create clear-cut chances throughout the match, and their usually potent attack was stifled by a well-organized Greek defense.
Despite dominating possession and having over 70% of the ball, England failed to register a single shot on target in the first half.
The home side did finally find the back of the net in the 71st minute when Harry Kane slotted home a penalty. However, the goal came too late to salvage anything from the game.
England's lack of cutting edge was evident throughout the match. Their midfield was unable to provide the spark needed to unlock the Greek defense, and their forwards looked frustrated and out of ideas.
Pavlidis the Hero for Greece
Giorgos Pavlidis emerged as the hero for Greece, scoring a brace that secured a historic win for his nation.
His first goal was a simple finish, but his second was a thing of beauty. After a beautiful team move, the forward volleyed home a cross from the edge of the box to put the game beyond England's reach.
The result sends shockwaves through the qualifying campaign and places immense pressure on England to respond against Ukraine on Monday.
Key Takeaways from Wembley
- Greece's disciplined performance highlighted the importance of a strong defensive structure.
- England's lack of creativity in attack needs to be addressed urgently.
- Pavlidis' brace proved he is a player to watch in the upcoming Euro qualifiers.
This defeat serves as a wake-up call for England. They'll need to find their best form quickly to avoid a potential early exit from Euro 2024 qualification.
