Pavlidis double seals famous win for Greece over England

Greece beat England for the first time as striker Vangelis Pavlidis's double earned the visitors a richly-deserved 2-1 victory to put them in control of Nations League Group B2 at Wembley on Thursday.

While Pavlidis's winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time sparked wild celebrations amongst the Greek fans, England's were left stunned as stand-in manager Lee Carsley got a sobering reality check.

Two victories since Gareth Southgate stood down had raised Carsley's stock as a likely full-time replacement, but after a this ragged defeat, his hopes may have dwindled.

Pavlidis had given his side the lead early in the second half with a clinical finish and Greece had three goals ruled out against an England side that started with an experimental-looking attacking formation but misfired badly.

Jude Bellingham looked to have rescued his side when he lashed home an 87th-minute equaliser with England's second shot on target, but there was another twist as the outstanding Pavlidis punished some woeful defending to shoot past Jordan Pickford from close range.

Greece top the table with a maximum nine points while England's first defeat under Carsley left them second with six.

Carsley, who was without injured captain Harry Kane, stood by his decision to start without a recognised striker in a five-man attack, although he admitted it had failed.

"I think with the players we have, we have to be courageous with our systems and be creative," he told reporters. "It was my idea and I take the blame for that. It definitely didn't come off but we shouldn't rule out trying something different."