On October 10th 2024, England’s lacklustre loss at home to Greece ended their winning start to the 2024 Nations League campaign and their four year unbeaten run at Wembley Stadium.
Ahead of kick-off, tributes were paid to England – born Greece international, George Baldock, who tragically lost his life the day before the game at the age of 31.
Baldock, who had qualified to play for Greece through his Greek grandmother, made 205 appearances for English club Sheffield United over his seven-year tenure, before transferring to Greek club Panathinaikos in May 2024.
Without injured captain Harry Kane, interim England boss Lee Carsley opted to overload the midfield and attack with other acknowledged goal scorers in Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon.
Carley’s unbeaten run looked set to be blown to pieces by a well – organised Greek side, ranked 48th in the world, who were motivated for 90 minutes by one shared goal: honouring Baldock.
The Three Lions were lucky to make it through the first – half unharmed, with the Greek attack proving a tricky test for the England’s defence, marshalled by Manchester City defender John Stones, who captained the side for the first time in the absence of Harry Kane.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was fortunate to see a Greek attempt cleared off the goal line by Levi Colwill after his misplaced pass presented Greece with their first meaningful chance of the evening.
However, it was no surprise when Benfica striker Vangelis Pavlidis put Greece ahead early in the second half, with a composed finish after some neat footwork in the England box to score his country’s first ever goal on English soil.
Celebrations were paused by Greek players to hold up a shirt bearing the name Baldock, acknowledging the importance of a goal dedicated to a former friend, colleague and honorary countryman who was lost too soon.
Recognising that his tactical plan was failing, Carsley sent on strikers Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke, the latter making only his second appearance for England, seven years after his first.
Nevertheless, England looked just as blunt until a Jude Bellingham attempt from the edge of the box rocketed past the outstretched glove of Odysseas Vlachodimos to draw England level in a game that, for 88 minutes, had looked like a complete tactical mishap from Carsley.
In the end, it was another well-crafted finish from in – form Greek striker Pavlidis that settled the game, handing Greece a 2-1 victory in the 94th minute.
It was a goal that solidified Greece’s status as the lowest ranked side to ever win a competitive game on English soil, a fitting tribute to their former teammate George Baldock.
As for England, this result acts as a chastening blow, leaving them lying second place in their League B Group in the Nations League, far from where players and fans will have expected and hoped to be with the calibre of players available for selection.
