England suffered their first stumble under Lee Carsley as Vangelis Pavlidis’ 94th-minute winner earned Greece a famous 2-1 win at Wembley.
The interim Three Lions boss named an incredibly attacking lineup in a clear sign of intent, but that came at a cost on the pitch as Greece regularly took advantage of an almost non-existent England midfield at times to cause significant problems.
Only a sensational Levi Colwill goal-line clearance and then the offside flag denied Greece an opener, with Cole Palmer blazing over from close-range the only real chance England created in a goalless first-half.
Greece deservedly took the lead after the break, as Vangelis Pavlidis was allowed to twist away from three England players in the box and drill a low strike beyond Jordan Pickford.
Giorgos Masouras and then Pavlidis had finishes ruled out for offside, Greece by now having found the back of the net four times but only having one goal to show for it.
That appeared to prove costly for the visitors, as Bellingham stepped up with three minutes of normal time remaining. Ollie Watkins’ cut-back rolled through to the Real Madrid midfielder on the edge of the box, and his guided effort had too much power for Odysseas Vlachodimos.
But fittingly it was Greece and Pavlidis to have the final say, and this time VAR did not save England. The hosts had several chances to clear the ball in their own box, could not do so and it fell for Pavlidis to leave Wembley stunned.
It leaves Greece three points clear at the top of the Nations League, and England with plenty of work to do if they are to secure promotion back to the top table.
