The Greek national football team achieved its first victory ever on English soil in an UEFA Nations League game against the “Three Lions” on October 10, 2024, with Vangelis Pavlidis as the star on the field, supported by the spirit of George Baldock.
Greek national football team’s historic victory against England at Wembley, dedicated to Baldock
This is a huge victory for the Greek National Team at Wembley, with a historic 2-1 win against England, dedicated to George Baldock. In the 49th minute, Koulierakis set up Giannoulis, who passed to Pavlidis. Pavlidis then skillfully sent the ball into the net for a 1-0 score. He then dedicated the goal to Baldock by pointing to the sky, holding the black armband and jersey of the late footballer.
Vangelis Pavlidis was the standout player of the match, or more accurately, one of many great performers in a superbly coordinated team effort. The Benfica striker scored twice at the forty-ninth and the ninety-forth minutes to secure Greece’s third win in as many matches in League B of the Nations League.
The Greek national football team’s dynamic performance against England shines at Wembley
The Greek National Team started off on the right foot from the very first minutes of the Wembley match. England threatened early in the third minute with Bellingham, but Vlahodemos made a brilliant save, tipping the ball for a corner. From then on, it was mostly a blue-and-white affair.
In the fourth minute, Greece made its first defense move when Masouras spotted Tzolis’ run and passed to Pavlidis, whose shot from just outside the area went wide of Pickford’s left post. England had another chance in the eighth minute, but Palmer’s free kick sailed over the crossbar.
By the tenth minute, Bakasetas missed a golden opportunity when Pickford’s mistake outside the area left him with an empty net. Colwill, however, managed a last-ditch clearance just before the ball crossed the line.
Unrelenting pressure and Greek dominance against England
Greece continued to exert pressure, with Mavropanos heading in from a corner in the thirteenth minute, only for the goal to be correctly ruled out for offside. The Greek side remained dangerous, as Giannoulis, Jolis, and Bakasetas all came close to scoring. England’s best chance in the first half came in the twenty-second minute when Bellingham set up Palmer, whose shot went high.
The teams went into halftime with the score still at 0-0, but Greece’s impressive performance left no doubt that they were in control.
In the second half, the “blue and white” continued in the same spirit. Ivan Jovanovic’s players remained focused on their goal and even managed to “hurt” the “Three Lions” on their first attack of the half.
It was the forty-ninth minute when Koulierakis took a “rebound” near the midfield line, made a move toward the opponent’s area, and found Pavlidis, who weaved his way around five defenders and beautifully placed the ball to open the score (1-0).
Recalling the glory of 2004
The goal left England stunned. The home team tried to find a way through to Vlahodemos’ area, but instead, they left gaps in their defense.
The Greek National Team‘s historic victory against England evoked memories of the summer of 2004 and the glorious days of Greece’s Euro triumph in Portugal.
With Pavlidis leading the charge and the team mentally motivated by the loss of George Baldock, Greece secured a monumental 2-1 win at Wembley.