Soccer

VANGELIS PAVLIDIS dedicated his match-winning double for Greece against England to the late George Baldock, adding: “We gave our soul.”Pavlidis netted both goals in his nation’s 2-1 win at Wembley on Thursday, with the winner coming deep into injury time.Vangelis Pavlidis said Greece players ‘gave our soul’ to beat England in honour of George BaldockCredit: ReutersBaldock was found dead in a swimming pool in Greece this weekCredit: APGreek stars paid tribute during their famous 2-1 win at WembleyCredit: PAIt sparked major celebrations among Greek fans and players as Three Lions interim boss Lee Carsley was left with his head in his hands.And Pavlidis has now revealed that Baldock’s tragic passing has been at the forefront of his mind ever since the sad news broke on Wednesday.Baldock, 31, was found dead in a swimming pool in Greece after his wife raised the alarm.The defender, who was born in Buckingham, played 12 times for Greece through his grandmother.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnd Baldock was in the country after leaving Sheffield United for Super Lig outfit Panathinaikos over the summer.England and Greece both paid tribute to the right-back before kick-off last night.And Pavlidis claimed he and teammates “gave our soul” for Baldock on the Wembley turf as they paid tribute by holding up his shirt.He said: “It is a very particular day, our thoughts since last night have been with George. We are professionals, we had to play.Most read in Football”We gave our soul for him. Condolences to the family.”Today is not a day to talk about football. He was a part of the team, we will miss me.George Baldock’s heartbreaking summer farewell message to Sheffield Utd fans re-emerges after star found dead aged 31George Baldock career statsGeorge Baldock has tragically died aged 312009-2017 – MK Dons 125 games (2 goals)2011 – Tamworth (loan) 3 (0)2012 – IBV (loan) 18 (1)2012 – Tamworth (loan) 15 (1)2015-16 – Oxford United (loan) 47 (3)2017-2024 – Sheffield United 219 (6)2024 – Panathinaikos 4 (0)”This is not a day to speak about a football, this is a day to be silent and honour his family. We will miss him.”The whole day was silent, even now it’s silent. We won and can’t enjoy it. We can’t say much. There are no words for this. I don’t know what to say. [We slept] As much as we could [last night].”Tasos Bakasetas, captain of Greece, added: “I’m very proud to have these team-mates. We want to dedicate this game to George and his family. This way we will try and give them some strength.”It’s a game that shouldn’t have happened in my opinion. It’s not a day we can talk more about football.”George today was our guide. He always put the team above all else.”In France last summer he played with an ankle banged up and still played for the team.READ MORE SUN STORIES”And against Georgia [Euro 2024 play off qualifying final] he was hurt and knew he would get injured and fought with doctors so that he can play and left it all on the pitch. He had to come off at 60 minutes.”We thank him for everything. We wish strength to his family.”Dominating Mbappe, Premier League Iron Man, promotion hero: A tribute to George BaldockBy Kostas Lianos, Digital Sports ReporterIT was back in 2019 when Greece legend Vasilis Torosidis – the heir to Euro 2004 hero Giourkas Seitaridis – retired from international duty after 101 caps.A giant void was left behind at right-back, many talented players tried to step up – and none of them could fill those big boots.But, soon enough, I started to hear whispers about a Premier League ace with Greek heritage who’s a starter week-in and week-out…That was none other than George Baldock, born in Buckingham on March 9, 1993, to English parents but qualified for Greece through his grandmother.And what a season he was having. The right-back starred for Sheffield United as they surprised the Prem in the 2019-20 campaign – their first in 12 years – by finishing in the top half of the table.Baldock was among their standout players as he registered a staggering 3,420 minutes played – the joint highest along with the likes of Declan Rice and Virgil van Dijk.The defender was keen to make the big step to the international stage with his grandmother’s homeland – and it didn’t take long until he shook hands with the Greek football federation (EPO) chiefs.However, a long and arduous paperwork slog stood in the way – with the then Sheffield United star claiming Covid-19 and Brexit slowed things down.Greece finally got the right-back they were begging for for years as Baldock made his debut on June 2, 2022 in a Nations League clash at Northern Ireland as a late substitute.It didn’t take long until the English-born ace owned the right flank at the back and impressive performances followed.Perhaps none compare to the Euro 2024 qualifier against France in June 2023 when Baldock did the unthinkable and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for 104 MINUTES, despite being injured and playing through “unimaginable” pain.I still remember speaking to then-Greece manager Gus Poyet about his player’s stunning performance, and I will never forget the big smile the Chelsea legend had on his face.Poyet reminded me of a proud father as he took me through the injury hell the full-back endured before squaring up against perhaps the world’s best player for his country.A beaming Poyet told me: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days beforehand] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?'”At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.”You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.”Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.”And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”It’s easy to understand how loyal Baldock was to every team he ever played for during his 15-year career, just by looking at his stats.The Greek ace started his career at MK Dons in 2009 where he amassed a staggering 125 appearances throughout an eight-year stint that also saw him playing on loan for Northampton Town, Tamworth, IBV and Oxford United.The defender joined Sheffield United in 2017 and registered a whopping 219 appearances in seven years that also saw him helping his team achieve two Premier League promotions.Baldock’s work ethic and commitment was no different in Greece as he proudly stated two years ago: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.”Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”Baldock never played for England at any level, but he always competed like a lion and he proved it on Sunday in his last ever match when he started for Panathinaikos, whom he joined in the summer, against eternal rivals Olympiacos in perhaps the most intense derby in Europe.He served his team with honour as he helped them pick up a valuable point in a goalless draw against their in-form foes, who had just played their best game of the season with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League a few days earlier.He only managed 12 caps for Greece before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 31 on Wednesday in Athens.But his fighting spirit and charisma at right-back with the white and blue, as well as his remarkable run in the Premier League and the Championship, show that he is leaving a legacy behind for many Greek and English fans to look up to. More

A BAFFLED Roy Keane has savaged England’s approach during their dismal loss to Greece.The ITV pundit hit out Three Lions players for ignoring “the basics” in Thursday’s disastrous 2-1 defeat at Wembley. Roy Keane has torn into England’s players after a 2-1 loss to GreeceCredit: ITVInterim boss Lee Carsley played an experimental system in the defeatCredit: GettyJude Bellingham equalised late on for the Three Lions, only for a stoppage-time winner from the visitorsCredit: GettyEngland slumped to a first competitive loss at the Home of Football in almost four years.An inspired Greece – driven by the tragic loss of George Baldock earlier this week – had the ball in the net FIVE times, with three ruled out for offside.It came after interim boss Lee Carsley opted for an experimental false 9 system.Carsley’s under-cooked side could muster just one shot on target in 88 minutes before Jude Bellingham’s late leveller. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLVangelis Pavlidis netted a deserved winner for Greece in stoppage time, prompting Keane to tear into the Three Lions.The ex-Man Utd midfielder said on ITV: “We go back to the basics of the game.”The words over the last month or so with England have been freedom, style, attacking football. “Freedom is the new buzzword, obviously. It’s the new garlic bread.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”But you still have to do the basics of football. You have to defend properly. And you have to have urgency.”Both of Pavlidis’ goals came in the second half and looked preventable, with a number of England defenders surrounding him in the box.Bellingham nearly the saviour but Pickford has a nightmareBut the Benfica striker was still able to get his shot away on both occasions. The lack of bite in defence “summed up England’s night,” according to Keane.Watching footage of the first goal, he continued: “Look at this! Five or six England players around [Pavlidis].”You’ve got nobody actually doing their job properly. “How can this happen? My goodness. Someone has to put a tackle in.”Keane was stunned that no England player could block either of Vangelis Pavlidis’ goalsCredit: GettyEngland player ratings vs GreeceBy Tom BarclayLEE CARSLEY’S tactical experiment of playing no strikers backfired as Vangelis Pavlidis’ double secured an emotional shock win for Greece at Wembley.Interim England boss Carsley played all three of our nation’s gifted No10s – Phil Foden, Jue Bellingham and Cole Palmer – in varying positions.But it did not work and the Greeks took a deserved lead thanks to Pavlidis’ belting second-half finish.The visitors then held up a shirt in celebration bearing the name Baldock – in reference to their team-mate George Baldock, whose passing at the age of just 31 on Wednesday rocked the world of football.Bellingham looked to have ensured the points were shared with a thunderous strike with three minutes to go.But there was still time for Pavlidis to expose some woeful defending deep into injury time by firing past Jordan Pickford.Here are SunSport’s player ratings from a dire night for England under the arch.Jordan Pickford: 4Wandered into no-man’s-land territory outside his box early on and lost the ball, allowing Greek skipper Tasos Baksetas a free shot at goal – only to be saved by Levi Colwill’s last-gasp clearance. Did not instil confidence, despite his experience.Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6Some tasty passes – they are his speciality, after all – but not great at the back. He, John Stones and Cole Palmer were weak in their attempt to close down Vangelis Pavlidis before the Benfica man smashed home the opener.John Stones: 5Made captain for what was his 82nd cap, surpassing Rio Ferdinand’s haul. But it was a shaky display from his defence and Stones should have done better to stop Pavlidis.Levi Colwill: 7Greece would have been ahead far sooner were it not for Colwill’s athletic hack away to deny Bakasetas. Replays showed it would have crossed the line had the Chelsea man been a split second later with his incredible intervention.Rico Lewis: 6Tried to bomb up the left flank where he could but, just like Kieran Trippier at the Euros, was hamstrung by constantly having to cut back onto his favoured right foot.Declan Rice: 6Played as England’s only holding midfielder, as fans had been imploring Gareth Southgate to use him for years. It was not like he was overrun but his side did look vulnerable on the counter.Phil Foden: 4Spent most of the game pressing the Greek backline as a false nine without really getting on the ball and causing any damage. Ineffective. Cole Palmer: 6Deployed in a deeper, central-midfield role which at least meant he saw plenty of the ball, though he blazed England’s best chance of the first half over the bar. Remarkably, his first competitive England start, despite being named on Tuesday as Three Lions player of the 2023-24 season. Bukayo Saka: 5Struggled to get into the game and then was forced out of it, worryingly limping off early in the second half. The last thing Arsenal fans wanted to see.Jude Bellingham: 7 STAR MANPlayed in a false nine position and had a belting early shot well saved. The system did not work but Bellingham still so nearly emerged as the saviour by banging in his first goal of the season for club and country.Anthony Gordon: 5Caused Greece few problems and his touch looked off it. Had a decent chance from Alexander-Arnold’s peach of a delivery but headed over.SUBS: Noni Madueke (for Saka 52): Played out on the left, rather than his natural right, when coming on. Went down in the box deep into injury time but no penalty was given. 6Ollie Watkins (for Gordon 60): Almost scored with his first touch when played through by Palmer, but smashed just over. 7Dominic Solanke (for Foden 72): Grabbed an assist when laying the ball back to Bellingham who thumped in the leveller. 7Manager Lee Carsley: 4Seemed to gamble unnecessarily with this experimental system instead of playing it safe to add another win to boost his case to earn the job full-time. Carsley played without a natural centre-forward when winning the Under-21 Euros because he had to after Flo Balogun switched the USA and Rhian Brewster got injured, but here he did it by choice and it did not work. Bellingham looked to have saved his bacon – but then Pavlidis struck again.Following Thursday’s loss, interim boss Carsley admitted the experimental approach had only been worked on for “20 minutes.”He told ITV: “I think we were probably second best for a lot of tonight. It’s disappointing.”I just spoke about there, we’re going to get setbacks – it’s important now that we respond well against Finland.”We tried something different. We tried to overload the midfield and play a little bit differently.READ MORE SUN STORIES”It’s something that we tried for 20 minutes yesterday. It’s something we experimented with, it was disappointing that it didn’t come off.”But I think it was unrealistic to expect too much and it’s a case of trying again.” More

LEE CARSLEY has admitted that England only worked on his striker-less system for 20 minutes in training.The Three Lions caretaker boss spoke after his side’s dismal 2-1 Nations League defeat to Greece at Wembley.Lee Carsley endured a difficult night at WembleyCredit: ReutersEngland slumped to a 2-1 defeat to GreeceCredit: AlamyJude Bellingham was left gutted despite equalising for EnglandCredit: GettyThe visitors were the better side for much of what was an emotional night, following the shocking death of George Baldock.Vangelis Pavlidis gave Greece a deserved lead on 49 minutes, after his side had been denied by a sensational Levi Colwill goal-line clearance in the first half.Jude Bellingham levelled for England on 87 minutes, only for Pavlidis to net a winner in stoppage time.Carsley, 50, was without injured captain Harry Kane for the match.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLIn Kane’s absence, he opted against starting Ollie Watkins or Dominic Solanke up front, instead selecting no recognised No9.Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer all started in the striker-less XI – but Carsley’s risky line-up never really gelled.Carsley eventually ditched the system, bringing Watkins on for Gordon on the hour mark.He then threw on Solanke for Foden with 72 minutes on the clock.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSPhil Foden was substituted in the 72nd minuteCredit: RexCole Palmer was unable to conjure his Chelsea formCredit: RexSpeaking to ITV reporter Gabriel Clarke after the match, Carsley admitted: “I think we were probably second best for a lot of tonight. It’s disappointing.”I just spoke about there, we’re going to get setbacks – it’s important now that we respond well against Finland.”Bellingham nearly the saviour but Pickford has a nightmareAsked about the system, Carsley said: “We tried something different. We tried to overload the midfield and play a little bit differently.”It’s something that we tried for 20 minutes yesterday. It’s something we experimented with, it was disappointing that it didn’t come off.”But I think it was unrealistic to expect too much and it’s a case of trying again.”On his side’s poor defending, he added: “I think with the quality that we’ve got… you look at all the goals tonight, they’ve come from mistakes, which is disappointing.”Even at 1-1, we were quite fortunate at that point.”‘WE TRIED SOMETHING’Quizzed if he will persevere with the system, Carsley said: “I think it’s definitely an option. When you’ve got someone of Harry Kane’s quality it rules that out because of the amount of goals that he gets for us and how important he is for the team.”But we tried something tonight and in the future we’ve got to have that courage and that ability to try things.READ MORE SUN STORIES”This is a period where it’s so important that we gain promotion from this league, but we tried something different.”The Three Lions will look to bounce back on Sunday as they face Finland in Helsinki – with Kane’s fitness remaining up in the air.England player ratings vs GreeceBy Tom BarclayLEE CARSLEY’S tactical experiment of playing no strikers backfired as Vangelis Pavlidis’ double secured an emotional shock win for Greece at Wembley.Interim England boss Carsley played all three of our nation’s gifted No10s – Phil Foden, Jue Bellingham and Cole Palmer – in varying positions.But it did not work and the Greeks took a deserved lead thanks to Pavlidis’ belting second-half finish.The visitors then held up a shirt in celebration bearing the name Baldock – in reference to their team-mate George Baldock, whose passing at the age of just 31 on Wednesday rocked the world of football.Bellingham looked to have ensured the points were shared with a thunderous strike with three minutes to go.But there was still time for Pavlidis to expose some woeful defending deep into injury time by firing past Jordan Pickford.Here are SunSport’s player ratings from a dire night for England under the arch.Jordan Pickford: 4Wandered into no-man’s-land territory outside his box early on and lost the ball, allowing Greek skipper Tasos Baksetas a free shot at goal – only to be saved by Levi Colwill’s last-gasp clearance. Did not instil confidence, despite his experience.Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6Some tasty passes – they are his speciality, after all – but not great at the back. He, John Stones and Cole Palmer were weak in their attempt to close down Vangelis Pavlidis before the Benfica man smashed home the opener.John Stones: 5Made captain for what was his 82nd cap, surpassing Rio Ferdinand’s haul. But it was a shaky display from his defence and Stones should have done better to stop Pavlidis.Levi Colwill: 7Greece would have been ahead far sooner were it not for Colwill’s athletic hack away to deny Bakasetas. Replays showed it would have crossed the line had the Chelsea man been a split second later with his incredible intervention.Rico Lewis: 6Tried to bomb up the left flank where he could but, just like Kieran Trippier at the Euros, was hamstrung by constantly having to cut back onto his favoured right foot.Declan Rice: 6Played as England’s only holding midfielder, as fans had been imploring Gareth Southgate to use him for years. It was not like he was overrun but his side did look vulnerable on the counter.Phil Foden: 4Spent most of the game pressing the Greek backline as a false nine without really getting on the ball and causing any damage. Ineffective. Cole Palmer: 6Deployed in a deeper, central-midfield role which at least meant he saw plenty of the ball, though he blazed England’s best chance of the first half over the bar. Remarkably, his first competitive England start, despite being named on Tuesday as Three Lions player of the 2023-24 season. Bukayo Saka: 5Struggled to get into the game and then was forced out of it, worryingly limping off early in the second half. The last thing Arsenal fans wanted to see.Jude Bellingham: 7 STAR MANPlayed in a false nine position and had a belting early shot well saved. The system did not work but Bellingham still so nearly emerged as the saviour by banging in his first goal of the season for club and country.Anthony Gordon: 5Caused Greece few problems and his touch looked off it. Had a decent chance from Alexander-Arnold’s peach of a delivery but headed over.SUBS: Noni Madueke (for Saka 52): Played out on the left, rather than his natural right, when coming on. Went down in the box deep into injury time but no penalty was given. 6Ollie Watkins (for Gordon 60): Almost scored with his first touch when played through by Palmer, but smashed just over. 7Dominic Solanke (for Foden 72): Grabbed an assist when laying the ball back to Bellingham who thumped in the leveller. 7Manager Lee Carsley: 4Seemed to gamble unnecessarily with this experimental system instead of playing it safe to add another win to boost his case to earn the job full-time. Carsley played without a natural centre-forward when winning the Under-21 Euros because he had to after Flo Balogun switched the USA and Rhian Brewster got injured, but here he did it by choice and it did not work. Bellingham looked to have saved his bacon – but then Pavlidis struck again. More