“Curtis Jones has had a formidable first half-hour of worldwide soccer, trying assured on the base of the midfield.

“If Jones had not acquired injured, he most likely would have been capped by Gareth Southgate and gone to Euro 2024. However he has been constructing on his high quality type for Liverpool.

“Elsewhere, I can not assist feeling somebody can be despatched off right now. All of which can decide the result.”

39 minutes: Greece’s captain Tasos Bakasetas shoots from exterior the field and attracts one other save out of Jordan Pickford. The England goalkeeper received’t be finest happy on the quantity of motion he’s seeing.

Jude Bellingham darts in behind and will get fed the ball. He carries it into the penalty space and appears for Ollie Watkins however the move isn’t on.

It looks like a sure purpose however Konstantinos Koulierakis sprints again and pokes the ball away from Bellingham earlier than he can shoot!

33 minutes: Tasos Bakasetas swings in a nook kick for Greece. Pickford comes out once more and punches the ball away. Greece are within the ascendancy now and England must climate this storm.

It’s been a strong response for the reason that hosts went behind.

This can be a high quality transfer from Greece. Kostas Tsimikas is performed into area on the left and drives at Kyle Walker. He slips a move into the ft of Vangelis Pavlidis who backheels it to Tsimikas who continues his run into the field.

Tsimikas shoots and Jordan Pickford stands proud a powerful proper hand to show the ball behind.

27 minutes: The Greek crowd are beginning to get animated. The hosts are seeing extra possession and handle to feed the ball to Lazaros Rota as he will get ahead on the precise.

Rota dances inside from the wing after which shoots. It’s not a great shot and he pulls it extensive of the goal.

From the purpose kick Jordan Pickford takes his time getting the ball again in play and is booked for time losing. There’s solely been 27 minutes performed!

24 minutes: Giorgos Masouras drifts out extensive on the precise wing and waits for the ball to return excessive. It does and the move makes Rico Lewis hesitant.

He decides to let the ball run via after which holds his floor lengthy sufficient to show the ball out for a throw in.

21 minutes: Greece have conceded their first purpose at dwelling since Youssouf Fofana scored towards them for France in November 2023. It’s virtually a yr since they’ve trailed at dwelling.

England need to improve their lead and banish the recollections of that defeat at Wembley final month.

18 minutes: Gordon actually fancies himself towards Rota. He appears to go across the exterior this time however simply overruns the ball as Rota holds his personal.

England threw males into the field and appear very hungry for objectives tonight. A very good begin for the guests.

“Ollie Watkins scored together with his first contact of the ball, which supplied Lee Carsley some quick vindication after benching Harry Kane, even when it was the kind of purpose Kane may also have scored.

“It is not a very hostile environment in Athens however Conor Gallagher’s pointless yellow card, for kicking the ball away, introduced the amount and means two of England’s midfield trio are already booked.”