The England team showed that they are dead serious about reclaiming their place at the top of soccer with a commanding 3-0 win over Greece in Athens. Skilful, well-organized, and full of competitive spirit, the Three Lions did take the sure-footed step toward promotion to League A of the Nations League.
Follow Playing for 90 on X (Twitter).
Watkins Sets the Tone with Precision
The match got underway with England making their intentions crystal clear right from the opening whistle. Anthony Gordon, in his signature burst of speed, carved out a gilt-edged opportunity that set up Ollie Watkins to break the deadlock in the seventh minute. It was a goal made in heaven, the result of teamwork as coordinated as a well-tuned watch.
The Real Madrid star brought the move together with a perfect ball across to Noni Madueke, allowing Watkins to finish with what looked like an easy goal but was harder than it looked. "We showed character and solid defensive form," said Bellingham afterward. "The team crafted a game plan that was perfect for this challenge."
Solid Defense and a Winning Mentality
Even after the goal, in the early stages of the game, there were a few scares that the English side had to weather. Greece would not merely be spectators in their backyard. Jordan Pickford came into action and diffused a dangerous-looking attack to preserve the lead.
"With the ball, we tried things, whether they came off or not. We showed perseverance to secure the win," Bellingham mentioned afterwards, outlining the mix of offensive creativity and defensive solidity that defined England's performance.
Dominant in the Second Half
If the first half was characterised by instances of nervousness, the second was a masterclass in authority. Jude Bellingham nearly doubled the advantage with a powerful header that rattled the crossbar, while Madueke continued to cause problems for the Greek rear guard with his blistering pace.
The second goal was in the 77 minutes and was as dramatic as it was decisive, with Bellingham's fierce strike off the post being deflected in by Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos. "We're all exciting, creative players," the Real Madrid midfielder said.
A Golden Debut for Curtis Jones
Curtis Jones capped a memorable night by scoring the third goal for England in the 83rd minute. Morgan Gibbs-White's pinpoint cross found Jones, who finished the move with a sense of calmness and finesse that left little doubt as to his ability to shine on the big stage. For a debutant, that was a performance which left everyone impressed.
"Curtis is an exceptional player. Without the goal, his performance was outstanding. I am so glad it went in for him," said head coach Lee Carsley who seems very pleased with the depth and the quality of his squad.
Looking Ahead
This victory now puts England top of the group, with only needing to see off business as usual against the Republic of Ireland this Sunday at Wembley to earn promotion to League A. Carsley has now made it clear that all eyes are on that crucial match.
"We're moving in the right direction, but we won't get carried away. We've got a big game on Sunday, and we need to be ready," stressed Carsley.
A statement, more importantly, it was a dominant display as England defeated Greece. The future does look bright for the Three Lions, with Bellingham and Jones rising in each passing game. Wembley awaits, as the next chapter of this journey in the Nations League unfolds.