England travel to Greece in penultimate Nations League group game
Watkins slots home opener after Madueke assist
Bellingham shot hits post and bounces off goalkeeper into net, before Jones flicks a third
England would win group with win against Republic of Ireland
Nine England players have withdrawn from the squad
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FT: Greece 0-3 England
England are heading back to London with three points - and back in control of their group before Sunday's final round of Nations League games.
Beat the Republic of Ireland at Wembley (17:00 GMT) and the Three Lions will be promoted back to League A.
Will Lee Carsley sign off with a fifth win in six games before Thomas Tuchel takes charge?
Image source, Reuters
Image source, Reuters
Image source, PA MediaFT: Greece 0-3 England
Leon Osman
Former Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
The amount of players given debuts under Lee Carsley just goes to show the process with the U21s set up is working. Everyone who has stepped up has been ready for this moment.
They don't just want to go onto the pitch and be part of the win. They want to go on there and be the person that makes the difference. That attitude is flowing throughout the U21's group and many have been able to show it at senior level.
FT: Greece 0-3 England
England
England forward Jude Bellingham, speaking to ITV: "Good win, important win. A lot is made of the lads who weren't here but the lads who were here, who showed up, were amazing. I am really proud of the boys tonight, there would have been a million and one excuses if we didn't play well or get over the line but the lads went out and did their job so professionally. Back to the top I believe, where we belong.
"We had a good defensive shape and character. The staff set up a gameplan which was perfect for this game. Perseverance was the most important thing tonight I think."
FT: Greece 0-3 England
England
England triumphed in Athens despite some of their players having a green laser pointed at their faces during the match.
Image source, Rex Features
Image source, Rex FeaturesFT: Greece 0-3 England
Leon Osman
Former Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
Wonderful night for Lee Carsley and England.
After trying soemthing in the reverse fixture at Wembley only last month and it going so wrong, to then try something else this evening, not starting the captain Harry Kane, everything went right.
They look brilliant in possession, look assured out of possession and controlled the majority of the game. Three wonderful goals and everybody who was called upon answered the question.
HT: Greece 0-3 England
Roy Keane
Former Republic of Ireland captain on ITV
Image source, PA MediaJude Bellingham is a quality player and we have seen his quality tonight. He looks like he has a bit of swagger back.
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Marley: Re: Tom at 21:58 - Did you really say Saka has been under-performing? He's been the only consistent performer England's had since 2020! Also, he always puts country before club, which is why he's been injured more often than others within the team.
FT: Greece 0-3 England
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland's goal scoring debutant Curtis Jones, speaking to ITV: "I went out there, I was playing free with a smile on my face. I was enjoying it and got a goal as well. Jude [Bellingham] stayed back and I saw I had a chance to their goal and lucky enough I scored."
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Well, if the Thomas Tuchel experiment doesn’t go according to plan, there are far worse ideas than offering Lee Carsley the chance to lead the Three Lions at our home Euros in four years time.
Lee, London
FT: Greece 0-3 England
Greece fans produced flares off the pitch. England's players produced flair on it.
Image source, ReutersFT: Greece 0-3 England
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland midfielder Conor Gallagher, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "It was a brilliant performance, very professional. We were desperate to give the fans a good performance and a good result and that is what we were able to do, so we're really happy.
"From the first game against Greece at home we knew their threats and I felt like we dealt with them really well tonight. The counter attack, playing into the front and having runners - we stopped that a lot more and limited them."
On his partnership with Curtis Jones and Jude Bellingham: "Top, top players. It was a pleasure for me to play with them in midfield. I felt like we combined well together on and off the ball in a great performance."
On his yellow card: "I felt the yellow card was a bit harsh if I'm being honest and because of that I felt like I had to hold back a bit. It was a disciplined performance."
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Tonight wasn't about individuals, it was about balance in the team and getting the right players with the right skill set, playing in the right position. Also helps when they are fully fit and in form. How often have past managers forgotten these golden rules?
Neil, Preston
FT: Greece 0-3 England
Leon Osman
Former Everton and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, ReutersFor Lee Carsley it was a big decision to put in some young players from the start and for it to have worked so well it just justifies what he is about. He has been briliant with the temporary period in charge, he has done it with a smile on his face and has become much more relaxed as the windows have gone on. I'm just really pleased for him.
FT: Greece 0-3 England
England
Image source, Getty ImagesOne yellow card.
One HUGE save at 1-0 on his way to another England clean sheet.
Jordan Pickford was immense in Athens.
FT: Greece 0-3 England
Ian Wright
Former England striker on ITV
I love to see that kind of performance from England - passing the ball quicker, playing at a really good pace. The tempo felt really good from England.
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Ross Matthewman: Have to say, there’s a lot to like about this very youthful England side. Curtis Jones has been just lovely in particular.
Image source, Getty ImagesFT: Greece 0-3 England
England
England interim boss Lee Carsley, speaking to ITV: "It represents that we are moving in the right direction. We won't get too carried away, we have a big game on Sunday at Wembley.
"It is just important the players played to their strengths. We have a lot of outstanding talent. The players that weren't here, we concentrated on the ones who were. They took their opportunity today.
"Curtis Jones is an outstanding player. He played really well, even without his goal. With his goal it was an excellent performance.
"People were speaking last night about the inexperience in the squad but these players are playing for their clubs at a really high level."
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One of the most enjoyable England games I've watched in ages! Certainly calls into question how important some of the big name players are. Quite happy if they can't be bothered with the next few games too. Well done Lee and the supposed reserves!
Richard
FT: Greece 0-3 England
England
So good to see England's young guns play with smiles on their faces after the build-up was dominated by talk of withdrawals and Thomas Tuchel's whereabouts.
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This is the England team I want to see. Young, hungry, and full of energy! Honestly, it’s a blessing in disguise that players like Saka, Grealish, and Foden aren’t here because they consistently under-perform for England. It’s time for players like Jones, Gordon, Watkins, and even Hall to step up. And I know he didn’t play, but Livramento should get a shot too (Walker is so past it). Let these guys take the stage and show the world why England should be feared in the World Cup!
Tom
Ollie Watkins celebrates after putting England ahead in the Nations League match against Greece in Athens
England will return to the top tier of the Uefa Nations League with victory over the Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday after overcoming Greece in impressive style in Athens.
Lee Carsley's side gained revenge for the debacle of a defeat to Greece at Wembley in October, and Thursday's win was even more satisfying for the interim manager after his squad was decimated by withdrawals.
The emphatic margin of victory ensured England have a better head-to-head record against Greece after their 2-1 loss at Wembley, leaving the Three Lions' fate in their own hands.
Ollie Watkins justified his selection ahead of captain Harry Kane when he put England ahead after only seven minutes, turning in Noni Madueke's cross after the Chelsea winger's fine run.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford excelled in the rare moments of Greek pressure and the three points were secured in style late on.
The second goal had a hint of fortune when Jude Bellingham's shot hit a post and ricocheted into the net off Greece keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos after 77 minutes.
However, the third goal, six minutes later, was a flash of individual brilliance from Liverpool's Curtis Jones, who marked his debut by scoring with a stunning flicked finish from Morgan Gibbs-White's cross.
After the match the FA released a statement saying it was aware that some England fans had a difficult experience outside the ground and are obtaining more information on what happened.
'A night of redemption for Carsley offers real hope for Tuchel'
'This generation of England players expect to win' - Carsley
Jones has been increasing his claims for a full England cap with an impressive season at Liverpool, so it was a dream night for the midfielder when he not only finally made his full international bow, but crowned it with a moment laced with confidence and genius.
England were already on their way to the win as silence descended on the packed Olympic Stadium in Greece, leaving Liverpool-born Jones to provide the perfect ending to a hugely satisfying evening.
Jones had already shown several pieces of sleight of foot, as well as composure in possession, but there was rare audacity about the manner in which he flicked a finish across Greece keeper Vlachodimos with the inside of his right heel from Gibbs-White's delivery.
England went into this game surrounded by questions, as well being threatened with the possibility of a play-off unless they secured the right result against a Greece side who were so much their superiors in October.
Carsley's bold move to leave Kane on the bench paid off, while he was also able to give first caps to Newcastle United left-back Lewis Hall, on at half-time for Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, and fellow Villa player Morgan Rogers, who was introduced in the second half.
England controlled large portions of this game, but it still required Pickford to show once again how valuable he is, especially with a fine second-half save from Fotis Ioannidis with the score 1-0.
Carsley's final game is against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday, and he has now opened up the opportunity to allow his successor Thomas Tuchel to avoid a Nations League play-off.
Bellingham has been short of his brilliant best for club and country in recent times, but this was a reminder of why the 21-year-old is such a prized possession for Real Madrid and England.
Bellingham's swagger was back from the first minute, roaming into dangerous positions to trouble Greece, who found it almost impossible at times to track his movement.
He set Madueke clear for the run the led to Watkins' opener, then it was his shot that bounced in off keeper Vlachodimos to stop Greece in their tracks just when they threatened to gain momentum to give encouragement to the huge and vociferous home crowd.
Greece were a shadow of the side that outplayed England at Wembley but Carsley and his players, who have endured some uncomfortable moments recently, deserve credit for the way the carved out this fully-merited win.
It was a controlled, measured performance – encapsulated by the outstanding Bellingham.
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