The Blues quickly took the lead on a long shot from Eduardo Camavinga (7th), poorly anticipated by Israeli goalkeeper Omri Glazer (7th). Ghent’s Omri Gandelman then allowed Israel to react: starting from deep, the 24-year-old midfielder deflected a ball from Oscar Gloukh with his head to deceive Mike Maignan (24th). France regained control of the match thanks to a beautiful solo from Nkunku, who then scored with his left foot (28th).
In the second half, Didier Deschamps’ players held the ball but had to wait until the 87th minute and a strike from the edge of the area from Mattéo Guendouzi to take cover. Bradley Barcola scored a fourth goal a few seconds later (89th).
In the standings, France (6 points) comes within one point of Italy, who drew 2-2 against the Red Devils (4 points). Israel records a third loss in a row and is in fourth place.
Greece surprises England, Norway and Austria triumph largely
England, finalist of Euro2024, suffered an embarrassing 2-1 defeat against Greece on Thursday at Wembley in the second division of the Nations League, with an ultra-offensive team that was far too unbalanced.
The double from Vangelis Pavlidis (49th, 90th + 4) conversely offered the Greeks, in mourning after the death of international George Baldock, the first victory in their history against the “Three Lions”.
Jude Bellingham’s equalizer (87th, 1-1) on the English’s second shot on target would have been a sham if the superiority of the visitors, deprived of three offside goals, had not been rewarded in time additional.
For England and its procession of stars, falling back to League B in 2022, the objective of a return to the elite is taking a backseat. They are second with six points, three lengths behind their tormentors.
It is also a serious setback for interim coach Lee Carsley who attempted, on Thursday, what his predecessor Gareth Southgate refused to do: align all the creative talents of the kingdom together at kick-off, even if it meant sacrificing the defensive base. .
The bet was daring, tempting and validated by English supporters, frustrated by a Euro-2024 ending in the final, certainly, but with a fairly boring game despite the wealth of the squad.
However, it did not lead to the dreamed epilogue, on the contrary.
Homage to Baldock
Deprived of captain Harry Kane, Carsley started the meeting without a center forward, but with a multitude of offensive nuggets: Bellingham in “false” N.9, Phil Foden in support, Bukayo Saka on the right, Anthony Gordon on the left, and Cole Palmer in the backfield.
In the second half, especially after Saka’s injury exit, “Cars” brought in two scorers, Ollie Watkins and Dominic Solanke, without further success.
The English very rarely worried Odysseas Vlachodimos, Newcastle’s replacement goalkeeper. They barely managed to equalize on a cannonball from Bellingham (87th, 1-1).
The Greeks gave a big cold sweat to the defense of Jordan Pickford, goalkeeper in distress from start to finish.
The Everton goalkeeper multiplied the bad throws, exuded excitement and was saved, in the 10th minute, by a miraculous return from Levi Colwill on the goal line.
Benfica striker Pavlidis became the first Greek to score at Wembley. And rather twice than once. With his partners, he dedicated his goals to George Baldock, defense
Haaland scores two goals
In Group 3, Norway and Austria achieved important victories in front of their home crowds. Norway beat Slovenia 3-0, Austria defeated Kazakhstan 4-0. The inevitable Erling Haaland scored two goals for the Norwegians, making him the new best shooter in his country’s history with 34 goals in 36 matches.
In the Group 3 standings, Norway leads with seven points, ahead of Austria and Slovenia (four points each). Kazakhstan brings up the rear with a point.
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