Summary

Media caption,

'There's a generation of England players that expect to win' - Carsley

  1. 'Perseverance and good defensive shape' - Bellingham's key to victorypublished at 14:08 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Greece 0-3 England

    England

    Jude Bellingham celebratesImage source, Getty Images

    Jude Bellingham put the performance and result in Greece down to "perseverance" and a defensive shape that gave the team's creative players the confidence to try things on the ball:

    "Good defensive shape...character," the 21-year-old Real Madrid midfielder told ITV Sport, when asked what was the key factor behind England's 3-0 win.

    "The staff set up a game plan that was perfect for this game.

    "With the ball, we were trying stuff. Regardless of whether it comes off or not, it's a young team, we are all playing very well for our clubs, we are all exciting players who want to get on the ball and be creative.

    "So we are going to lose the ball, but I think it was amazing that regardless of however many times we tried [something] and lost it, we carried on doing it and that was the most important thing in the end - perseverance."

  2. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    This team of Jones's will dominate the game. All the other teams will just be trying to keep up with them...

    Chris

    Ba dum dum tssh!

  3. Curtis Jones' England debut in numberspublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Greece 0-3 England

    Harry Kane and Kyle Walker join England players congratulating Curtis Jones after his goal against GreeceImage source, Getty Images

    Talking about young players making an impact, here is a recap of the stats behind Curtis Jones' debut:

    • The 23-year-old Liverpool midfielder scored one goal from his only shot
    • Enjoyed 96% passing accuracy, completing 65 of 68 passes
    • He also won seven duels
    • Won possession back seven times
    • Completed four tackles
    • And made one interception.

    Jones was rightly named England's official man of the match, but was it enough to win a regular starting place?

    Thumbs up for yes, down for no...

  4. 'Young players have sent out a message'published at 13:59 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Greece 0-3 England

    Izzy Christiansen
    Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

    Curtis Jones and Anthony Gordon of England embrace after the team's victoryImage source, Getty Images

    We talked about England's lack of balance during the Euros. It was clear that pairing Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham wasn't working. But what I saw against Greece was balance.

    There was great balance between the wide players - Noni Madueke and Anthony Gordon.

    All these players haven't made their debuts over the past few months because of free passes from Lee Carsley, it's because they've earned it at their clubs.

    They've been performing week in, week out. Look at the development of Lewis Hall and Gordon with Eddie Howe. Madueke is having a phenomenal season at Chelsea. Morgan Rogers has been great for Aston Villa in his role.

    It has widened the pool for Thomas Tuchel. It's also sent out a message to other players that the level is going higher and higher to be picked for the World Cup.

  5. Postpublished at 13:58 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Plenty more build-up coming up on those Scotland and Northern Ireland matches, as well as a round-up of the key talking points raised by England's win over Greece...

  6. Who are Northern Ireland playing tonight?published at 13:57 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Northern Ireland v Belarus (19:45 GMT)

    Northern Ireland

    Michael O'NeillImage source, Getty Images

    And Northern Ireland are hosting Belarus tonight (19:45 GMT), a side they drew 0-0 to last month despite having twice as many shots.

    Boss Michael O'Neill says his side have a "responsibility to engage" the home supporters.

    "The crowd like to see a team that plays with intensity, and we can feed off that and they [the crowd] can feed off us," O'Neill said.

    "There is a responsibility to engage the crowd [at home], and you do that by playing on the front foot and in the opposition half and also winning the ball back."

  7. Who are Scotland playing tonight?published at 13:54 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Scotland v Croatia (19:45 GMT)

    Scotland

    Looking ahead to tonight, Scotland are taking on Croatia at 19:45 GMT at Hamden Park.

    You can follow the match on the BBC Sport website and app and on BBC Radio Scotland.

  8. Haaland strikes in Norway winpublished at 13:50 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Slovenia 1-4 Norway

    Erling Braut Haaland celebrates after scoring a goalImage source, Getty Images

    Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was on the scoresheet as Norway beat Slovenia 4-1 in League B Group 3 of the Nations League.

    With the win, Norway moved level on 10 points with group toppers Austria while Slovenia are three points behind in third place.

    After Benjamin Sesko cancelled out Antonio Nusa's opener for Norway, Haaland put his side back in front at the stroke of half-time, latching on to a through ball from Sander Berge and finishing through the legs of goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

    Nusa then doubled the visiting side's lead before Jens Petter Hauge sealed the 4-1 result.

    Norway next face Kazakhstan on Sunday.

  9. You can be heroes...published at 13:49 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    For anyone just joining us and wondering why we have an ongoing chat about all things Jones - it follows up from this morning's revelation that Curtis Jones became the ninth Jones to play for England. The only surname to provide more England players is Smith (20).

    That got us thinking if we could drum up a Jones XI and things just snowballed from there.

    Surprised no-one has recommended a team song yet, maybe Heroes by David Bowie, whose actual name is David Jones!

  10. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:41 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Lance Corporal Jones (Dad's Army) could whip them into shape. Don't panic Mr Tuchal...

    Nick, Wigan

  11. Captain Son scores in South Korea winpublished at 13:34 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Kuwait 1-3 South Korea

    Son Heung-min of Korea Republic celebrates after scoring a goalImage source, Getty Images

    Captain Son Heung-min scored his 50th international goal as South Korea defeated Kuwait 3-1 to take a five-point lead at the top of their 2026 World Cup qualifying group.

    The Tottenham star won and converted a penalty to double his country's lead in the 19th minute before Stoke City's Bae Jun-ho came off the bench to seal the win in the 74th minute.

    South Korea have 13 points from five matches in Group B, followed by Jordan and Iraq, who are tied on eight points.

    Herve Renard, who replaced Roberto Mancini as the Saudi Arabia head coach last month, began his second stint with the Green Falcons with a goalless draw against Australia.

    Saudi Arabia and Australia are tied on six points, sitting behind Group C toppers Japan.

    Iran, who beat Korea DPR 3-2 in Laos, are at the top of Group A with Uzbekistan three points behind.

  12. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    Hi, we've just imagined BBC commentator from the past. 'Great catch from Jones, rolls the ball to Jones who passes inside to Jones. Jones advances and deftly passes crossfield to Jones, quick 1 2 to Jones, Jones releases Jones down the left wing who crosses and Jones heads, goalie saves but Jones is there to tap in, 1 nil England.'

    Andy, in the Pyrenees

  13. Vinicius denied as Brazil & Venezuela split pointspublished at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Venezuela 1-1 Brazil

    Brazil

    Vinicius Junior of Brazil argues with players of VenezuelaImage source, Getty Images

    Vinicius Jr missed from the penalty spot as Brazil were held 1-1 by Venezuela in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

    Raphinha's brilliant free-kick helped the Selecao pull 1-0 ahead just before the break, but Telasco Segovia equalised for the home side at the start of the second half.

    Brazil had the chance to regain the lead when Rafael Romo conceded a penalty for a foul on Vinicius just past the hour-mark, but the Venezuela goalkeeper made amends by saving the Real Madrid winger's spot-kick.

    Dorival Junior's Brazil have had a rocky qualifiers campaign with five wins, four defeats and two draws in 11 matches. They sit in third place - five points behind table toppers Argentina.

    Colombia are two points ahead of Brazil in second place while Uruguay, Ecuador and Paraguay all sit one point behind.

  14. Paraguay shock for world champions Argentinapublished at 13:19 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Paraguay 2-1 Argentina

    Argentina

    Argentina forward Lionel Messi and Paraguay defender Omar Alderete fight for the ballImage source, Getty Images

    Argentina and Lionel Messi stumbled to a 2-1 defeat to Paraguay in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in South America last night.

    It all began so well for Lionel Scaloni's world champions as they took the lead through Lautaro Martinez just 11 minutes in.

    But hosts Paraguay hit back through Antonio Sanabria and Omar Alderete and held on to beat the visitors, who had only a single shot on target all game.

    Messi and co have now dropped points in three of their last four qualifiers, but sit top of the 10-team qualifiers table with a three-point lead over second-placed Colombia, who face Uruguay tonight.

    Argentina will hope to bounce back when they face second-from-bottom Peru in Buenos Aires on Wednesday.

  15. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 13:13 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Tom Jones to do the half-time show

    Rob

    Tom JonesImage source, Getty Images
  16. Mbappe-less France drop points against Israelpublished at 13:07 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    France 0-0 Israel

    France

    France captain Ngolo Kante in action during the UEFA Nations LeagueImage source, Getty Images

    France, who once again left captain Kylian Mbappe out of their squad for this month's Nations League double-header, were held to a goalless draw by Israel at Stade de France.

    The Real Madrid forward, 25, was also not part of France's squad in October as a precaution, given he had just returned from injury.

    But the stalemate proved enough for Didier Deschamps' side to progress to the quarter-finals of the Nations League, along with Italy, who beat Belgium 1-0 with a goal from Sandro Tonali.

    Italy are top of League A Group 2 with 13 points while 2018 World Cup winners France sit three points behind, with one match remaining.

  17. Topics up for debatepublished at 13:05 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Right, it feels like this Jones chat is going to run and run. Where will it take us next I wonder?

    While we ponder that, here is just a quick heads up about some of the other topics up for debate.

    One big talking point - both before and after Thursday's win for England in Greece - has been the role of captain Harry Kane and whether interim coach Lee Carsley was right to start Ollie Watkins ahead of him.

    More on that coming up, along with a round-up of some of the other international fixtures played on Thursday, before build-up to Scotland's Nations League fixture at home to Croatia tonight.

  18. Postpublished at 12:58 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Great shout, Rob! There's also a Jones AT&T Stadium in Texas that could host the return leg.

    Jones StadiumImage source, Getty Images
  19. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 12:57 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    We could hold our Local Jones vs International Jones match in the Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington.

    Rob

    Halliwell Jones Stadium in WarringtonImage source, Getty Images
  20. What's Wales' situation in the Nations League?published at 12:54 Greenwich Mean Time 15 November 2024

    Turkey v Wales (Sat, 17:00 GMT)

    Wales

    So, before we move on from Wales, just a reminder that they are currently second in Group B4 of the Nations League on eight points after winning two and drawing two of their matches under Craig Bellamy.

    Saturday's opponents Turkey are top of the group on 10 points.

    Wales can secure promotion back to the top tier of the Nations League if they win in Turkey and at home to Iceland on Tuesday, in the final game of their campaign.

    Turkey will top the group if they beat Wales. Their final match is at bottom-placed Montenegro on Tuesday.