Stand-in England captain John Stones has revealed that he has been left "absolutely gutted" by his country's defeat to Greece.
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Stones wore armband in absence of Harry KaneFirst-ever defeat to GreecePlayers mourn George Baldock Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Stones wore the captain's armband as England lost 2-1 to Greece in farcical circumstances on Thursday evening. Having seemingly rescued a 1-1 draw late on through Jude Bellingham's equaliser, Greece won the game in injury time as Vangelis Pavlidis scored with seconds remaining. The victory was a hugely emotionally-charged one for Greece, because team-mate George Baldock tragically died on Wednesday.
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England were stunned by the Greek performance and Stones has now admitted that the Three Lions' opponents were facing a remarkably difficult evening, after the death of their team-mate.
WHAT STONES SAID
Stones said: “On a personal note, absolutely gutted.
“First time with the armband, and a result like this. It’s hard to put into words to be honest after every emotion yesterday, today we prepared how we normally do and it didn’t come off so it’s just a shame it was on a night like this.
“We have got to give credit to them, from the start they put us right under pressure. We found it difficult to come out from the back, and play our normal football to break the lines. They were very compact so it was disappointing from us.”
He added: "For everyone in the dressing room and The FA, condolences to his family.
"A few of the boys were close to him. We knew it wasn't an easy day for them. (England reserve goalkeeper) Dean Henderson was close to him, it wasn't easy for him with that news."
AFPWHAT NEXT?
England play Finland this weekend and will be desperate to put this defeat behind them as they look to get back to winning ways.