England Set to Host Greece in Crucial Nations League Clash

England is gearing up to host Greece at Wembley Stadium in their third match of the Nations League’s Group B2 on Thursday, October 10, at 7:45 p.m. BST (2:45 p.m. ET). Both teams are entering the fixture with the aim of maintaining their undefeated streaks in the tournament, as they currently share similar records with Greece leading the group on goal difference.

This match rekindles memories for many England supporters, particularly of David Beckham‘s iconic free-kick in October 2002, which resulted in a crucial 2-2 draw against Greece and secured England’s qualification for the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

The game will be officiated by referee Andrea Colombo with Valerio Marini serving as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Coverage will be provided live by ITV and ITVX in the UK, offering fans the chance to follow the action closely.

Lee Carsley, serving as England’s interim coach, has recalled players such as Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, both of whom he previously coached at the youth level. Dominic Solanke‘s impressive early-season performances have earned him a spot in the squad for the first time since 2017. Despite concerns regarding star striker Harry Kane‘s fitness, assessments showed no structural damage, albeit he has been training separately on an individualised program at St George's Park.

England’s squad has seen some withdrawals due to injuries, with Ben Chilwell, Eberechi Eze, and Callum Wilson ruled out. To address this, Noni Madueke and Ryan Sessegnon have joined the team as replacements for the upcoming matches.

Greece, under Ivan Jovanović, is facing a key challenge with the fitness of their star striker Apostolos Ioannidis, who sustained an injury during Panathinaikos‘ match against Olympiacos. Ioannidis has been in excellent form, contributing three goals in the Nations League thus far.

Looking back, England’s Southgate era ended on a somewhat positive note with the team reaching the final of Euro 2024, ultimately losing in the finals. Carsley’s recent victories over Ireland and Finland both ended in 2-0 scores, marking a promising start to his interim tenure.

Meanwhile, Greece narrowly missed out on the European Championship, losing in a penalty shootout against North Macedonia in the playoffs. Under Jovanović’s leadership, Greece secured convincing wins in their most recent matches against Ireland and Finland.

As history shows, England has never lost to Greece in their nine encounters between 1971 and 2006, positioning them as favorites for Thursday’s clash. Yet, both teams, with their current forms, promise an intense contest as they vie for prominence in the group standings.