It is difficult to remember Kane ever being axed for an England game, let alone a must-win big one - rather than rested or rotated. And it was especially bold from Carsley given he was without a host of big names.
It had to be Kane's replacement, Ollie Watkins, who scored the opening goal in the seventh minute and there were others who seized their opportunity, taking in Noni Madueke on the right wing but peaking, really, with Curtis Jones. On the occasion of his first cap, he strutted his stuff in central midfield and produced the moment of the night, a stunning first-time back-heeled finish from a pass from the substitute, Morgan Gibbs-White, for 3-0.
Jude Bellingham, also impressive, had forced the second after a surging run, yet another surging run, watching his low shot hit the post and go in off the Greece goalkeeper, Odysseas Vlachodimos. It left Carsley to reflect on almost reaching the target set for him by the Football Association during his interim tenure - lifting the team out of the Nations League's second tier. England moved above Greece to the top of the table on head-to-head results. They must now beat Republic of Ireland at Wembley on Sunday to seal the deal.
It was an inexperienced England XI at a boisterous venue, Kane's omission at the outset framing so much. Carsley had gambled in Kane's injury-enforced absence against Greece at Wembley, going all-out attack, 4-2-4 with an array of attacking midfielders. This move was riskier. Kyle Walker had taken over the captain's armband. He was stony-faced when asked about Kane's exclusion beforehand.
This story is from the November 15, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
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This story is from the November 15, 2024 edition of The Guardian.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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