England Stunned by Greece: Pavlidis Brace Sends Three Lions Packing
England's Euro 2024 qualifying campaign took a massive hit on Tuesday as they suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at home to Greece. The Three Lions, who had won their previous four qualifiers, were stunned by a brace from Georgios Pavlidis, who proved to be a nightmare for England's defense.
The game started poorly for England, with Greece dominating possession in the early stages. Their dominance was rewarded in the 51st minute when Pavlidis opened the scoring, calmly slotting home after a well-worked team move.
England's response was lackluster, with Gareth Southgate's side failing to create clear-cut chances. The Greek defense held firm, frustrating the English attackers and showcasing a resolute defensive display.
Just when it seemed like England might salvage a point, Pavlidis struck again in the 78th minute. The Greek striker, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, capitalized on a defensive lapse to fire a low shot past Jordan Pickford.
England managed to pull one back in the 85th minute through Harry Kane, but it was too little too late. The damage had already been done, and Greece walked away with a famous victory.
This defeat is a major blow to England's qualification hopes, leaving them in second place in Group C, two points behind Greece. It also raises serious questions about Southgate's tactics and team selection.
England will need to bounce back quickly if they want to qualify automatically for Euro 2024. Their next qualifier is against Ukraine in October, and they will be desperate to secure a victory.
Key takeaways:
- Pavlidis was the hero for Greece, scoring two crucial goals and proving to be a constant threat.
- England's defense was exposed, and they struggled to break down a resolute Greek defense.
- This result raises serious questions about Southgate's tactics and team selection.
- England will need to respond quickly and decisively if they want to qualify automatically for Euro 2024.
The defeat to Greece will undoubtedly be a talking point for weeks to come, and it will be interesting to see how England react to this setback.
