Greece defeated England for the first time as striker Vangelis Pavlidis gave the visitors a well-deserved 2-1 win to put them in control of Nations League Group B2 at Wembley on Thursday.

As Pavlidis’ winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time sparked wild celebrations among the Greek fans, England stand-in manager Lee Carsley was given a sobering reality check.

Two wins since Gareth Southgate’s resignation had raised Carsley’s stock as a likely full-time option, but after a heavy defeat to Greece his hopes may have dwindled.

Pavlidis had put his side ahead early in the second half with a clinical finish and three goals for Greece were ruled out against an England side who started with an ultra-attacking line-up but failed badly.

Jude Bellingham looked to have saved his side when he scored an equalizer in the 87th minute, but there was another twist when the excellent Pavlidis punished a woeful defense by firing past Jordan Pickford from close range.

Greece tops the table with a maximum of nine points, while England’s first defeat under Carsley left them second with six.

“Personally speaking, absolutely gutted. To get a result like this for the first time with the armband,” said John Stones, captain in place of the injured Harry Kane.

“We prepared as we normally do, but it didn’t work out. They put pressure on us from the start. It’s up to us to get results, and we didn’t do that.”

Bradley Collyer/PA images via Getty Images

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It was a poignant evening for Greece, with a minute’s silence held before kick-off for their former international George Baldock, who passed away this week at the age of 31.

“It’s a very special day and match for us. Our thoughts are with George (Baldock). But we are professionals and had to play the match,” Pavlidis said.

“We gave our souls for him tonight. Today is not a day to talk about football.”

After the often conservative nature of English football under Southgate, there was a buzz of anticipation around Wembley as Carsley fielded a front five that included Cole Palmer.

With Kane missing, Palmer, who came on as a substitute to score England’s equalizer in the Euro 2024 final defeat to Spain, started just behind Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden.

Bellingham stung the fingers of Greek keeper Vlachodimos Odysseas with a ferocious, dipping drive and Palmer wastefully fired over the bar when well placed.

However, despite England’s attacking potential, it was Greece who had the better chances in the first half.

Pavlidis curled one effort wide before home guard Pickford almost gifted Greece the lead, losing the ball on the edge of his area and having his blushes spared by a brilliant goal-line clearance from Levi Colwill.

Moments later, Pickford flapped at a high ball and Konstantinos Mavropanos headed into the net, but was offside.

England started the second half lethargically and Greece took the lead in the 49th minute when Pavlidis showed great footwork to send a low shot past Pickford despite being surrounded by England defenders.

Goals from Giorgos Masouras and Pavlidis were disallowed and many England fans were already on their way home by the time Bellingham’s shot beat Vlachodimos.

Greece would not be denied, however, and Pavlidis made sure they had the last laugh.