England seized control of their Nations League Group B promotion hopes with a dominant 3-0 victory over Greece in Athens, a result that leaves them in the driver’s seat ahead of the final round of fixtures. A stellar display saw Ollie Watkins’ early strike, an own goal from Greece’s goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos, and a sublime debut goal from Curtis Jones secure the Three Lions’ emphatic win.
Having been defeated by Greece in the reverse fixture at Wembley last month, England wasted no time in setting the record straight. Watkins justified his selection with a well-taken close-range goal in the 7th minute, following a brilliant build-up involving Noni Madueke and Jude Bellingham down the right flank.
Greece, knowing that avoiding defeat would secure their automatic promotion to the Nations League top tier, came close to equalizing through Fotis Ioannidis, but England’s goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced a fantastic save, tipping the effort around the post. Despite a period of sustained pressure from the hosts, England remained composed and found the goals they needed to take control of the group.
The second goal came in fortuitous fashion when Bellingham’s powerful run and shot struck the post, only to rebound off the back of a helpless Vlachodimos and across the line. This goal moved England above Greece on superior head-to-head record. However, the Three Lions were not finished, as Jones capped a superb individual performance with a cheeky back-heeled finish from a Morgan Gibbs-White cross, sealing a well-deserved victory.
With the result, England now find themselves in a strong position to achieve automatic promotion to League A. If they match or better Greece’s result in the final round of fixtures, they will secure their place in the top tier of the Nations League.
Interim manager Lee Carsley, who is set to oversee his final match against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday before Thomas Tuchel takes over, reflected on the team’s performance: “We spoke yesterday about matching their energy and enthusiasm, knowing it would be a tough game. What pleased me most tonight was the control we had over the game. We had a lot of possession, created chances, and played with great composure.”
For Tuchel, the result alleviates potential pressure ahead of his appointment. With less than 50 days until his tenure begins, the win means England are on track to avoid the play-offs and start the World Cup Qualifiers with a clean slate. The team’s urgency in the second half, as they pushed for goals to leapfrog their opponents, reflected a sense of purpose that will be key under Tuchel’s leadership.
England’s attacking display featured contributions from a number of players. Before Vlachodimos’ misfortune, Rico Lewis forced a good save, and Bellingham’s header from another Madueke cross struck the post. Madueke’s flair going forward was a key feature of the first half, but Bellingham’s all-around performance stood out. His relentless drive and vision in the buildup to England’s second goal was a reminder of the depth of talent in the squad, a depth that will be at Tuchel’s disposal when he takes over.
As the interim period continues, England’s focus shifts to developing leaders within the team. Carsley explained his decision to start Watkins ahead of Harry Kane, highlighting the need for players who can stretch defenses and make an impact in big moments. The team also faced a hostile atmosphere in Athens, but the early goal from Watkins helped to settle any nerves. It was Greece’s first home defeat in a year, and they nearly leveled when Kostas Tsimikas and Ioannidis combined well on the left, only for Pickford to deny them with another fine save at his near post.
The victory showcased England’s strength and resilience, with Carsley’s team blending experience with youthful energy. With Kyle Walker captaining the side for just the third time in his 92nd appearance, the lineup featured five players with fewer than 10 caps. Despite nine withdrawals from the squad, including a combined 241 caps worth of experience, England proved they have the talent and depth to compete at the highest level. The standout performance from Bellingham and the brilliance of Madueke going forward were key to the Three Lions’ control of the match, with Jones’ audacious flick serving as the perfect cap to an impressive team display.
As the final round of Nations League fixtures approaches, England’s destiny is in their own hands, with promotion to League A now firmly within reach.
