England 3-0 Greece: Watkins Scores, Misses Chances

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Post on Nov 15, 2024

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England Cruise Past Greece 3-0: Watkins Scores, But Misses a Host of Chances

London, England: England secured a comfortable 3-0 victory over Greece in their Euro 2024 qualifier at Wembley Stadium on Friday night. The Three Lions dominated possession and created numerous chances, but struggled to convert them before Ollie Watkins finally broke the deadlock in the 45th minute.

The first half saw England dictate the tempo, with Bukayo Saka causing havoc down the right flank. The Arsenal winger delivered a number of dangerous crosses into the box, but the Greek defense held firm. Despite their dominance, England lacked a cutting edge, with Harry Kane surprisingly subdued.

The breakthrough came just before the interval when Watkins, who started in place of the injured Callum Wilson, was on hand to convert a rebound after Kane's shot was saved.

The second half continued in much the same vein, with England controlling the game but unable to find a second goal. Watkins, in particular, squandered a number of golden opportunities, including a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

However, England's persistence paid off when substitute Marcus Rashford curled a delightful free-kick into the top corner in the 73rd minute. The Manchester United forward then turned provider for Jack Grealish, who capped off a dominant performance with a composed finish in the 84th minute.

The victory extends England's unbeaten run in qualifying to eight games, keeping them firmly in contention for a place at next year's tournament.

Key Takeaways:

• Watkins Impresses, But Misses Chances: The Aston Villa striker scored the opening goal and put in a hard-working performance, but his profligacy in front of goal will be a concern for manager Gareth Southgate.
• Rashford's Impact: The Manchester United forward came off the bench to make an immediate impact, scoring a stunning free-kick and setting up Grealish's goal.
• England's Dominance: Despite missing several clear-cut chances, England were comfortable winners against a Greek side that struggled to offer any meaningful threat.

The Three Lions will now turn their attention to their next qualifier against Ukraine on Monday, with the opportunity to secure top spot in Group C.