Two West Ham United players went head-to-head in international action on Thursday night, as Dinos Mavropanos’ Greece met Jarrod Bowen’s England in a vital UEFA Nations League Group B2 fixture.
It was Bowen who was able to claim the bragging rights as the Three Lions won 3-0 at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, as the Greeks' 100 per cent record came to an end after four wins from their opening four matches.
Greece’s No4 was named in Ivan Jovanović’s starting XI, earning his 32nd cap since his international debut in 2021, but couldn't prevent his side from ending their five-match unbeaten run.
Ollie Watkins justified his starting selection ahead of captain Harry Kane when he put England ahead after only seven minutes, turning in Noni Madueke's cross from close range.
Lee Carsley’s side asserted their dominance in the second half, doubling their lead in slightly fortuitous circumstances after 77 minutes as Jude Bellingham's shot hit a post and ricocheted into the net off Greece goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos.
Liverpool’s Curtis Jones then capped his debut in style five minutes later, producing a sensational flicked finish at the end of a move involving 66th-minute substitute Bowen, finding the bottom corner and ensuring the Three Lions gained maximum points.
The result means England move above Greece and into first place in Group B2, level on points, although the Three Lions have a superior head-to-head record.
Bowen’s team face the Republic of Ireland in their final group clash on Sunday 17 November and know that victory at Wembley would seal top spot and automatic promotion, while Mavropanos’ Greece side end their campaign at Finland and would rely on an England stumble to move to the summit.
Elsewhere, Sean Moore marked his latest international milestone after playing just over an hour on his Republic of Ireland U21s debut in a 2-0 friendly defeat at the hands of Sweden.
Hampus Skoglund struck the opener via a deflected effort from outside of the box before a second, scored three minutes before full-time by substitute Richie Omorowa, made sure of victory for the young Blågult.
The two sides are due to lock horns again on Sunday 17 November in another international friendly in Marbella, as they step up their preparations for next year’s UEFA 2027 European Under-21 Championship Qualifiers.
