Lee Carsley praised his young players after the bold move to bench Harry Kane paid off, as England secured a 3-0 victory over Greece in Athens last night, regaining control of their Nations League fate. Carsley's decision to leave out his captain was justified by an early goal from Ollie Watkins, and there were notable contributions from Jude Bellingham and Curtis Jones. Bellingham, who was commended for his leadership, forced an own goal from Odysseas Vlachodimos, while Jones scored on his debut. England, who reclaimed the top spot in Group B2, edged closer to promotion to the top tier before their final fixture against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.
“The most satisfying aspect was the level of control we exerted,” Carsley remarked. “We created numerous chances, and it’s fantastic for Ollie to score. If we aim to position players capable of winning the World Cup, they need as many experiences as possible. This decision isn’t a reflection on Harry. He’ll start the next match. I recognize the quality these players possess. The younger ones are more than capable, given their quality and mentality. All the players showcased exceptional quality tonight.
“Considering the age of these players, there are many positives. Curtis was outstanding. Jude was really good.” Carsley, who will step aside for Thomas Tuchel in the new year, assured that Kane was supportive of starting from the bench. “It’s fair to say he wants to play every game, but he understands the importance of giving other players the experience they had tonight,” the interim coach explained.
The win means England, who lost 2-1 to Greece at Wembley last month, will now aim for a Nations League play-off in March. Tuchel’s focus will be on World Cup qualification. Despite concerns before the match about nine players withdrawing, Carsley’s team played with freedom and motivation.
“A lot was made of the players who weren’t here, but the ones who showed up were amazing,” Bellingham said. “There could have been countless excuses if we hadn’t performed well tonight or secured the win, but the team handled the situation professionally.”
The Football Association is awaiting further details after reports that police used tear gas and batons on traveling fans outside the Olympic Stadium. Fans in the away section reported a tense atmosphere closer to kick-off. A green laser pen was also directed at several England players during the game.
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