Solanke ends long wait for second England cap against Greece
Dominic Solanke represented England for the first time in almost seven years but suffered a late 2-1 home defeat to Greece in the UEFA Nations League on Thursday night.
Having made his Three Lions debut against Brazil in November, 2017, the striker came on for his second cap and first as a Spurs player in place of Phil Foden on 72 minutes with his side chasing an equaliser after Vangelis Pavlidis’ opener put the Greeks ahead four minutes after the restart at Wembley Stadium.
Dom’s appearance meant it was the longest gap between England caps since our former goalkeeper Ian Walker (February, 1997 to June, 2004) and, seven minutes after his introduction, our number 19 came close to his first senior international goal but his clever backheeled attempt from close range was smothered by the Greek defence.
When Jude Bellingham fired in from outside the box three minutes from time it looked to have rescued a point for Lee Carsley’s side but Pavlidis – who had seen a goal chalked off by VAR for offside on 83 minutes – won it deep into second-half stoppage time in what was an historic first Greek victory over England on a night where emotional tributes were paid to the late Greece international George Baldock who tragically passed away on Wednesday.
The defeat for England was their first under interim head coach Carsley and sees them slip three points behind Greece who currently top Group 2 on nine points with three fixtures to play in League B. An away trip to Finland is next up for Dom on Sunday 13 October (kick-off 5pm UK).
Destiny helps salvage point for Italy
Elsewhere, in League A of the Nations League, Italy’s Destiny Udogie entered the action in the 70th minute with his side a man down and having squandered a two-goal lead to help his nation secure a 2-2 home draw with Belgium in Roma’s Stadio Olimpico in the country’s capital.
The Azzurri had led 2-0 midway through the first half with Andrea Cambiaso and Mateo Retegui on target but Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card just before half-time altered proceedings as Belgium capitalised with Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard scoring either side of the break. That was Destiny’s sixth cap whilst Guglielmo Vicario remained an unused sub.
Friday 11 October
Callum Olusesi – England Under-18s tournament match against Sweden in Spain – kick-off 3pm
Lucas Bergvall and Dejan Kulusevski – Sweden away UEFA Nations League match against Slovakia – kick-off 7.45pm
Yves Bissouma – Mali home Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Guinea-Bissau – kick-off 8pm
Ben Davies and Brennan Johnson – Wales away UEFA Nations League match against Iceland – kick-off 7.45pm
Micky van de Ven – Netherlands away UEFA Nations League match against Hungary – kick-off 7.45pm
Pape Matar Sarr – Senegal home Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Malawi – kick-off 8pm
Archie Gray and Dane Scarlett – England Under-21s home European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Ukraine – kick-off 7.45pm
Josh Keeley – Republic of Ireland Under-21s home European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Norway – kick-off 7pm
