APPLY the handbrake, throw on the shackles, make England boring again. 

Because here was a night to remember why Gareth Southgate used to pick balanced teams. And how he led the Three Lions to two major finals. 

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Because this was a tactical omnishambles from interim chief Lee Carsley – who may have gambled himself out of a job with a bizarre team selection and an embarrassing defeat, the first time England have ever lost to Greece.   

Carsley started with NO recognised centre forwards, then ended up with what Mike Bassett referred to as four-four-f***ing-two.

A flawed attempt at trying to crowbar all of England’s attacking midfield talent into the same team ended in misery. 

If this is ‘Carsball’, it looked suspiciously like a car crash. 

This was the sort of line up the public urged Southgate to play during the Euros, and for some time before that. It didn’t work.

And against better teams than the Greeks, ranked 48th in the world, it will work even less well.

Even after Jude Bellingham’s 87th-minute equaliser, England were beaten by Vangelis Pavlidis completing his double to snatch the winner in injury time. 

England will now struggle to win promotion from the second tier  of the Nations League, given that the Greeks are top with a 100 per cent record.

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More importantly for the long term, the FA’s plan to promote former Under-21 boss Carlsey as permanent manager may have been holed beneath the waterline.

It was not just that England lost, it was that they lost with such an unconventional line-up, as the Greeks ensured the interim boss came acropolis in spectacular style.

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Carsley played Bellingham and Phil Foden as a pair of false nines, in a starting line-up which included two flying wingers and Cole Palmer playing too deep in central midfield, alongside a horribly exposed Declan Rice. 

The former Republic of Ireland player abandoned this experiment after an hour and soon had two authentic centre forwards on the field in Dominic Solanke and Ollie Watkins. That didn’t work either.

The scoreline could have looked far worse, given that Greece had THREE efforts ruled out for offside as Jordan Pickford suffered a personal horror show and Carsley’s side appeared hopelessly naive. 

With Wembley sold out on a school night, Carsley decided to give the public what they’ve wanted for some time. 

Got a load of exciting attacking midfielders? Well why not play the whole lot of them. 

Indeed, given that John Stones, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Rico Lewis all often double up in the centre of the park for their clubs, you could argue that Carsley had selected nine midfield players. 

It promised to be entertainingly chaotic and right from the off, it was. 

Bellingham swivelled and shot from 20 yards, Odysseas Vlachodimos tipping over and after the Real Madrid man was hacked down, Palmer curled a free-kick onto the roof of the net.

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The damning stats that underline England horror show

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Greece are the lowest ranked side to beat England in a competitive match in 19 years.

The away side were the lowest ranked side to ever beat England on home soil.

It was the first time Greece had never beaten England in their history.

Greece had never scored a goal at Wembley before tonight (the famous 2-2 with Becks free kick was at Old Trafford)

Vangelis Pavlidis’ strikes were his first since June 2022 vs Cyprus.

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Jude Bellingham’s 87th-minute equaliser was England’s first shot on  target since the third  minute (also Bellingham).

Yet at the other end, England were defending with legs akimbo – and they were not helped by Pickford looking as if he had clown music playing in his head. 

After Pavlidis curled a shot wide with England completely exposed, Pickford and Stones were involved in a horrible mix-up and the keeper passed straight to Greek skipper Anastasios Bakasetas, whose lob was spectacularly cleared off the line by Levi Colwill.

Yet from the resulting corner, Pickford completely missed a punch, allowing West Ham’s Konastantinos Mavropanos to head into the net – only for a linesman’s flag to save England. 

Next, Stones made an excellent block to deny Bakesatas and people were beginning to understand why boring old Southgate used to pick balanced teams. 

Bellingham was impressive, though and when he cut back for Palmer, England’s Player of the Year put his foot through the ball from eight yards out and skied a chance he would rarely have missed in a Chelsea shirt. 

Anthony Gordon sent a free header over before Bukayo Saka ended the half with a booking for tripping Giorgios Masouras to stop a Greek break. 

It had been a madcap, and somehow goalless first half. 

But within five minute of the restart, England were behind.

Konstantinos Koulierakis ploughed straight through the heart of Carsley’s team before Vangelis Pavlidis, surrounded by three defenders, was able to stab past Pickford. 

Saka was forced off through injury and replaced by Noni Madueke and soon Rice was booked for clattering Manolis Siopis before the resulting free-kick caused more mayhem. 

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Pavlidis had another effort ruled for offside before the false nine idea was chucked away on the hour mark, Watkins arriving in place of Gordon before Solanke came on for the hapless Foden, who never carries his Manchester City form into England duty.

The Greeks thought they had it sown up when Pavlidis tucked home a low centre from Tzolis after a dozy pass from Pickford – but VAR ruled out the effort for offside. 

It was huge let off for Carsley before Solanke cut back and the ball ran for Bellingham to ram home from 20 yards.

Even then England subsided, Lewis at the centre of a mass defensive cock-up which allowed Pavlidis to drill into the far corner.  

It was a scene which summed up the whole night — England shambling and humiliated.

In the technical area, Carsley fell to his haunches in despair. Surely the FA can’t appoint him after this.

England wing Bo Westcombe-Evans will make her second international start in Sunday’s WXV1 decider against Canada in Vancouver.

Regular starting wing Abby Dow, who scored two tries in last weekend’s victory over New Zealand, is unavailable after a head knock.

Lock Rosie Galligan and flanker Maddie Feaunati are the other two changes to the starting XV that defeated the world champions.

Westcombe-Evans, 22, scored on her debut in England’s opening WXV1 victory against the United States, before being replaced by Dow for the Black Ferns game.

“Bo has been really impressive in the past 10 weeks,” Red Roses head coach Mitchell said.

“She has a similar physical attribute to Abby [Dow] and Jess [Breach] in the fact she has got a good outside break and fend.

“She’s a young woman developing her game and is surrounded by fantastic team-mates. It is a great opportunity for her and part of her development.”

Centre Helena Rowland retains her spot at outside centre, with Holly Aitchison favoured at fly-half over Zoe Harrison.

After starting against New Zealand, lock Abbie Ward and flanker Morwenna Talling drop to the bench.

The WXV1 hosts comfortably defeated France and Ireland in their opening two games and, like Mitchell’s side, remain undefeated – meaning the winner on Sunday will clinch the title.

A WWE legend has ruled out coming back for John Cena’s retirement matches.

Cena, 47, is set to call it quits at the end of 2025.

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First, he will have a series of retirement matches as he says goodbye to the promotion.

Kurt Angle, however, will not return to face Cena.

Angle, 55, last wrestled in April 2019 after facing Baron Corbin at WrestleMania 35 in New Jersey.

While appearing on the Notsam Wrestling podcast, Angle was asked about potentially entering the ring one last time for Cena’s retirement matches.

In response, Angle admitted that, while he reckons he could get it booked, his body simply wouldn’t hold up to it.

The WWE legend said: “Listen, I’m sure if I made a call, I could make it happen.

“But there’s no way I can do it. But I would love to be one of John Cena’s retirement matches.”

Angle then revealed that he’d wanted Cena to be his last opponent before retirement, only for Vince McMahon to have had other ideas.

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“I mean, I’m the one [with whom] he had his first match,” Angle added. “I wanted John to be my retirement match.

“I don’t know if you knew that, but I requested that to Vince. ‘You’re gonna have to wait till next year because you have a programme with Baron Corbin.’

“So I was like, ‘OK. I don’t think I can go another year, Vince.’ He said, Well, then it is what it is.’”

Angle also claimed that he felt his previous 2006 WWE departure had left a sour taste with McMahon.

He said: “I love Baron Corbin, but I just felt that my second time in WWE, I wasn’t so much appreciated.

“I think it has a lot to do with me leaving the company high and dry in 2006 and going straight to TNA.

“I was supposed to go back to WWE in six months. Vince wanted me to take six months off and come back. So literally, when I left his office and I quit, I called TNA and got a contract that day.

“I didn’t wait a second. I knew what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go and I think they were like, ‘OK, well if he comes back we’re going to teach him a little lesson,’ which is fine.

“I understood… I love my TNA run.

“I think I came into my own right around 2006 when I was having my best wrestling, and that’s when I moved over to TNA.”

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Goalkeeper Angus Gunn is injured.

So are right-backs Aaron Hickey and Nathan Patterson. And three starting central defenders in the shape of Jack Hendry, Scott McKenna and Kieran Tierney.

Second-choice left-back Greg Taylor is hobbled too.

Lewis Ferguson, John McGinn and Stuart Armstrong will be at home instead of in the Scotland midfield.

And strikers Tommy Conway and Lawrence Shankland are absent too.

It leaves the squad looking alarmingly undermanned, but can you eke a coherent XI out of the players who are left behind?

Wales full-back Liam Williams has confirmed he will be available for the autumn internationals in November.

The 33-year-old was absent for Wales’ 2024 Six Nations campaign because of his Japan club commitments but was recalled for summer Tests against South Africa and Australia.

Williams is preparing for his second season with Kubota Spears but told the Sportin Wales podcast that the club will allow him to stay in Wales until mid December.

Williams will be free to face Fiji, Australia and South Africa at Principality Stadium next month as Wales look to end a losing nine-match international sequence.

He had been linked with a move to the Dragons in September, but head coach Dai Flanagan played down the prospect of him joining during the 2024-25 campaign.

GEORGE Baldock’s heartbroken fiancee has paid a touching tribute to the footballer describing him as her “soulmate” and the “perfect dad”.

The Greece international, 31, was found dead at home in Athens on Wednesday evening after drowning in his swimming pool – leaving behind a devastated Annabel Dignam and their son Brody.

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Annabel broke her silence with an Instagram post dedicated to Baldock just hours after his cause of death was confirmed.

She wrote: “George, the love of my life, my soulmate. The perfect dad to our beautiful boy. 

“You completed me. You were my world and I know we were yours.

“You are here with me in Brody’s smile, giggle and infectious personality.

“My world will never be the same but I will find a way for Brody. I promise.

“I love you forever and always G. Your Neen. X”

You completed me. You were my world and I know we were yours.You are here with me in Brody’s smile, giggle and infectious personality

Annabel DignamGeorge Baldock’s fiancee

The post was followed by a loving snap of the couple together smiling.

His family also revealed the football star, who moved to Greece to play for Panathinaikos FC, was due to return to the UK on Thursday to celebrate his birthday.

A separate tribute hours earlier by his family described Baldock as the “most special person”.

It continued: “You were the most special father, fiancee, son, brother, uncle, friend, teammate and person.

“Your enthusiasm and infectious personality brought so much love to those that were fortunate enough to know you and those that adored you from the stands.

“We will forever cherish the special memories we have of you and you will continue to live on in your beautiful son.

“You were due to fly home today for us to celebrate his first birthday together, but instead we mourn your loss.”

The family also confirmed his cause of death as drowning in his swimming pool at his Greek home.

Investigations into Baldock’s shock death revealed the ex-Sheffield United player died in the water.

Annabel first raised the alarm after not hearing from her soon-to-be husband.

After failing to track him down, she told the owner of the house in Glyfada to check the property.

The full-back, who joined Athens side Panathinaikos from Sheffield United this summer, was found at the bottom of the pool by his landlord who jumped over the fence to get into the home.

The Greece international, who was born in Buckingham but qualifies for the team via his grandmother, was found wearing swimming trunks and was pulled out of the water by emergency services.

They tried to resuscitate him but sadly could not revive him.

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Forensic scientists who conducted the autopsy on Baldock at Athens’ University Hospital on Thursday say he was dead for five hours before he was discovered.

The family’s touching statement ended with them saying: “As a family it has been incredibly touching, but equally so very difficult to read the huge number of tributes written by those that knew George and from those whose life he touched.

“It was impossible not to love him. We ask that you please continue to respect our privacy at this devastating time as we begin to process our grief.”

Cops said it would be ” several weeks, if not months” before the full autopsy and toxicology results were released.

A half-empty bottle of vodka and two glasses were found next to the pool – with police initially investigating whether another person was present at the time.

Officials have since ruled out any criminality was at play in his death.

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Other heartfelt tributes have continued to be made for Baldock after his death was confirmed.

Panathinaikos said: “We are shocked, we are shocked by the loss of our George.

“The family of Panathinaikos mourns his untimely death. We stand with the family and loved ones of George Baldock.”

Baldock played for his club side on Sunday during a 0-0 draw with fierce rivals Olympiacos.

He played 75 minutes before being subbed off.

The club have confirmed he last trained with them on Wednesday before driving home to his €15,000-a-month apartment.

They will be shocked. I remember him at Sheffield United. He had huge energy and was always up for a battle.

Roy Keaneex-footballer and ITV pundit

Former side Sheffield United also paid tribute saying: “Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock.

“The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him.

“The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends.”

England and Greece stars also held a minutes silence ahead of their Nations League clash tonight.

Pundits on ITV paid tribute Baldock ahead of the game on live TV.

Ian Wright said: “Terrible news, shocking news. You cannot help but think about his friends and family, I spoke to Karl Robinson [former MK Dons manager] last night who was devastated.

“He was hard-working and strong minded, You always thought, the way he applied himself, he was always going to get to where he wanted to go in the Premier League.

“I’m very sorry and all my condolences go to his family.”

The Arsenal and England legend worked alongside Baldock during a coaching stint MK Dons, where the British-born Greece international graduated through the academy.

Manchester United and Republic of Ireland icon Roy Keane added: “They will be shocked. I remember him at Sheffield United. He had huge energy and was always up for a battle.

“The players will react, be professional and go and put on a performance for him.”

Dominating Mbappe, Premier League Iron Man, promotion hero: A tribute to George Baldock

By Kostas Lianos, Digital Sports Reporter

IT was back in 2019 when Greece legend Vasilis Torosidis – the heir to Euro 2004 hero Giourkas Seitaridis – retired from international duty after 101 caps.

A giant void was left behind at right-back, many talented players tried to step up – and none of them could fill those big boots.

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But, soon enough, I started to hear whispers about a Premier League ace with Greek heritage who’s a starter week-in and week-out…

That was none other than George Baldock, born in Buckingham on March 9, 1993, to English parents but qualified for Greece through his grandmother.

And what a season he was having. The right-back starred for Sheffield United as they surprised the Prem in the 2019-20 campaign – their first in 12 years – by finishing in the top half of the table.

Baldock was among their standout players as he registered a staggering 3,420 minutes played – the joint highest along with the likes of Declan Rice and Virgil van Dijk.

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The defender was keen to make the big step to the international stage with his grandmother’s homeland – and it didn’t take long until he shook hands with the Greek football federation (EPO) chiefs.

However, a long and arduous paperwork slog stood in the way – with the then Sheffield United star claiming Covid-19 and Brexit slowed things down.

Greece finally got the right-back they were begging for for years as Baldock made his debut on June 2, 2022 in a Nations League clash at Northern Ireland as a late substitute.

It didn’t take long until the English-born ace owned the right flank at the back and impressive performances followed.

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Perhaps none compare to the Euro 2024 qualifier against France in June 2023 when Baldock did the unthinkable and kept Kylian Mbappe quiet for 104 MINUTES, despite being injured and playing through “unimaginable” pain.

I still remember speaking to then-Greece manager Gus Poyet about his player’s stunning performance, and I will never forget the big smile the Chelsea legend had on his face.

Poyet reminded me of a proud father as he took me through the injury hell the full-back endured before squaring up against perhaps the world’s best player for his country.

A beaming Poyet told me: “Against the Republic of Ireland [three days beforehand] – and now that it is finished I can say it – after 20 minutes he had a very bad twist in his ankle, very bad. He was very close to come out. I asked him, ‘Can you hold until half-time?’

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“At half-time his ankle was very, very swollen. He asked for a strapping and he asked me for five minutes. Give me five minutes and we’ll let you know. And he had an unbelievable second half running up and down and being outstanding.

“You don’t imagine the ankle after the game. You don’t imagine the ankle the day after, after the flight to France. Black and blue – swollen. And a day-and-a-half later you need to play against Mbappe.

“Ninety per cent of people will think, no chance. And I keep talking to him, individually. And he keeps saying to me, ‘Coach I’m gonna be there no worries’.

“And he didn’t play 20 minutes, he didn’t play 60 minutes, he played 104 minutes because the referee gave 14 minutes of injury time against Mbappe.”

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It’s easy to understand how loyal Baldock was to every team he ever played for during his 15-year career, just by looking at his stats.

The Greek ace started his career at MK Dons in 2009 where he amassed a staggering 125 appearances throughout an eight-year stint that also saw him playing on loan for Northampton Town, Tamworth, IBV and Oxford United.

The defender joined Sheffield United in 2017 and registered a whopping 219 appearances in seven years that also saw him helping his team achieve two Premier League promotions.

Baldock’s work ethic and commitment was no different in Greece as he proudly stated two years ago: “To play for the national side is a great honour and a lot of pride involved for me and my family.

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“Representing my country through my late grandmother, it’s a very proud moment for me and my family. I love the country and I will fight for every success”

Baldock never played for England at any level, but he always competed like a lion and he proved it on Sunday in his last ever match when he started for Panathinaikos, whom he joined in the summer, against eternal rivals Olympiacos in perhaps the most intense derby in Europe.

He served his team with honour as he helped them pick up a valuable point in a goalless draw against their in-form foes, who had just played their best game of the season with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Europa League a few days earlier.

He only managed 12 caps for Greece before his sudden and tragic death at the age of 31 on Wednesday in Athens.

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But his fighting spirit and charisma at right-back with the white and blue, as well as his remarkable run in the Premier League and the Championship, show that he is leaving a legacy behind for many Greek and English fans to look up to.

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