Saka Picks Up Injury as England Falls to Greece in Disappointing Friendly
London, October 10, 2024 — England’s preparation for the upcoming international fixtures took a significant blow as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Greece in a friendly match at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The loss was compounded by an injury to star forward Bukayo Saka, raising concerns ahead of crucial European Championship qualifiers.
England struggled to regain their rhythm, with missed chances from Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling further dampening their efforts.
As the first half progressed, Saka, who had been lively on the wing, went down after a challenging tackle and appeared to clutch his ankle.
Medical staff rushed to his aid, and he was eventually substituted in the 35th minute, casting a shadow over England’s hopes for the remainder of the match.
Despite the setback, England equalized shortly after halftime through a powerful header from Kane, who capitalized on a precise corner kick from Phil Foden.
The home side seemed rejuvenated, pressing for a second goal, but a mix of poor finishing and outstanding goalkeeping from Greek keeper Odysseas Vlachodimos kept the score level.
The turning point came in the 75th minute when Greece struck again, this time from a free kick taken by Dimitris Pelkas, which found the back of the net after a deflection off the wall.
England pushed forward desperately in search of an equalizer, but a combination of resolute defending from Greece and their inability to convert opportunities led to a frustrating end to the match.
After the game, England manager Gareth Southgate expressed his disappointment not only with the result but also with Saka’s injury.
“It’s never easy to lose a player of Bukayo’s caliber, especially in a match where we were trying to build momentum,” Southgate said. “We’ll assess him in the coming days, but it’s something we’re concerned about.”
The defeat raises questions about England’s current form as they look ahead to vital qualifiers for the 2024 UEFA European Championship.
Fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching the updates on Saka’s condition, with hopes that he will recover in time for the upcoming matches.
As the dust settles on this unexpected loss, England will need to regroup quickly, address their defensive frailties, and find a way to reinvigorate their attacking play.
The focus now shifts to their next friendly against Spain, where they will aim to bounce back and restore confidence ahead of the qualifiers.