Vangelis Pavlidis of Greece (L) reacts after scoring his team’s second goal during the UEFA Nations League match between England and Greece in London, Britain, on Oct. 10, 2024.

Photo: EFE – ANDY RAIN

Surprise at Wembley. England lost this Thursday in their mythical fiefdom against Greece (2-1) in the second division of the Nations League, while League A brought France a victory against Israel (4-1) and a draw between Italy and Belgium ( 2-2) that leaves the ‘Azzurra’ close to the quarterfinals.

The ‘Three Lions’, finalists in the last Euro Cup, suffered a embarrassing defeat against the Greek team in a match in which the English presented an ultra-offensive team but too lacking in balance.

Vangelis Pavlidis’ double (49, 90+4) gave the Greeks, mourning the death of international George Baldock, the first victory in their history against England.

“It has been a special day, we have thought a lot about it since we heard the news yesterday. It’s a difficult time. He was a special kid, we played for him and the score didn’t matter today, we gave everything for him,” Pavlidis said.

The equalizer by Real Madrid’s attacking midfielder Jude Bellingham (87) in the second shot on goal by the English did not do justice to a Greece that was deprived of three goals due to offside and found its reward in added time.

The climb is complicated

For England and its plethora of stars, who were relegated to League B in 2022, the goal of returning to the elite is complicated. They are second with six points, three less than Greece.

“We tried something different, it’s disappointing that it didn’t work,” lamented England interim manager Lee Carsley, who sacrificed a defender to start with his greatest attacking talents.

They are also second in their group, although in the first division, France, despite their victory in Budapest against Israel.

Without their captain Kylian Mbappé or Antoine Griezmann, retired from international football, the ‘Bleus’ scored through Eduardo Camavinga (7), Christopher Nkunku (28), Matteo Guendouzi (87) and Bradley Barcola (89).

In front of only 2,226 spectators, the players led by Didier Deschamps once again had problems in creativity against an Israeli team that is only 79th in the FIFA classification.

That group is dominated by an Italy that did not go beyond a draw against Belgium (2-2) in a match marked by the red card in the first half for Lorenzo Pellegrini.

A decisive roja a la ‘Azzurra’

The ‘Nazionale’ continues to convalesce: four months after their disappointing Euro 2024, they wasted a clear advantage, although the draw nevertheless brings them closer to the quarterfinals of the competition.

The locals had started their match at the Olympic Stadium in Rome perfectly, taking the lead in the 2nd minute thanks to Andrea Cambiaso, and doubled the lead through the Argentine-born scorer Mateo Retegui (23).

But the expulsion of the Roman player Pellegrini in the 39th minute for a harsh challenge on Arthur Theate woke up some Belgians who had barely shown themselves until that moment and who played without their stars Kevin De Bruyne (injured) and Romelu Lukaku (in Naples to recover physical form).

Maxim De Cuyper reduced the difference in the 41st minute after a great combination, and Leandro Trossard would restore the tie on the scoreboard by beating Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 61st minute.

“We conceded two goals from dead balls, we have to improve things, but I have also seen a team show personality,” summarized the Italian coach Luciano Spalletti.

The ‘Azzurra’ will face Israel on Monday in Udine and can take a giant step to the quarterfinals in case of victory.

A victory combined with another for France against Domenico Tedesco’s Belgium will grant them a ticket to the quarterfinals of the Nations League and seeded status for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the great objective for the Italians, who had to see on television the last two World Cups.

Additionally, in another match in the second division of the Nations League, Erling Haaland scored a double for Norway in a 3-0 victory against Slovenia.

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