A roundup of England’s most recent international break

England’s recent international break offered a mixed bag of results. A shock 2-1 loss at home to Greece (10 October) was followed up by a routine 3-1 win away to Finland (13 October).

The announcement on 9 October that former Sheffield United defender and Greece international George Baldock (31) had died caused great upset within both the English and Greek camps. A statement from Baldock’s family said: “George tragically drowned whilst swimming in the pool at his home in Glyfada, Athens.”

His last appearance for Greece came in March this year. At the time of his death, he was playing for Panathinaikos in the Greek first division. He was known by many current and past England players from his seven seasons at United. Greece midfielder Dimitrios Pelkas revealed they’d requested the match be postponed: “When these things happen in life, football is the second part.” Goalscorer Vagelis Pavlidis commemorated his friend and teammate by holding his black armband aloft and saying: “We give this win to him.”

Determined to bounce back, England travelled to Helsinki, where interim manager Lee Carsley made multiple changes

England dominated possession during the match but took the same number of shots as Greece (12), registering fewer shots on target (2 to 3). England missed both big chances they created.

Despite the sheer number of attacking players on the pitch, England were poor creatively. Greece’s rigid out-of-possession shape frustrated England’s attack. England’s frenetic press meant Greece frequently attacked an outnumbered defence. Greece’s pace and directness were rewarded when they took the lead early in the second half. Pavlidis scored his second four minutes into stoppage time after Bellingham thought he’d saved England’s blushes with a late equaliser.

Determined to bounce back, England travelled to Helsinki, where interim manager Lee Carsley made multiple changes.

Dean Henderson replaced Jordan Pickford in goal for his first international appearance in 1431 days. Trent Alexander-Arnold played left-back, with Kyle Walker at right-back. Angel Gomes stabilised the midfield, Palmer moved to the right. Captain Harry Kane returned from injury, Bellingham moved back to his preferred position behind him, and Phil Foden was dropped. Jack Grealish also returned from injury and played on the left-wing over Anthony Gordon.

The result leaves England second, three points off Greece before they face each other again on 14 November

Grealish opened the scoring within eighteen minutes after Gomes’ neat pass left him one-versus-one with the keeper. It’s just his fourth international goal – half of which have now come under Carsley.

Finland were not unimpressive, registering more shots than England in the first half, but had no answer to Alexander-Arnold’s top class free kick on the seventy-fourth minute.

Substitute Ollie Watkins put it on a platter for Declan Rice to score England’s third ten minutes later. Finland’s goal came from centre-back Arttu Hoskonen after a late corner. Alexander-Arnold has now notably won fan-voted Player of the Match in all three England wins under Carsley.

The result leaves England second, three points off Greece before they face each other again on 14 November. England then host Ireland at Wembley on 17 November. Two wins could see England promoted back into Nations League A.