Greece forward Vangelis Pavlidis dedicated his opening goal against England to late team-mate George Baldock on Thursday night.
The striker pointed to the sky and held his black armband aloft in tribute to Baldock after putting Greece 1-0 up in the 49th minute at Wembley.
His team-mates also ran over and held a white shirt with Baldock’s name in the air to commemorate the 31-year-old after his tragic death.
The former Sheffield United defender was found dead in the communal pool of his villa in Greece, with local media reporting that he had drowned.
Greek stars had also held his shirt ahead of kick-off and a minute’s silence was observed by both teams for the Buckinghamshire-born Greek international.
Greece goalscorer Vangelis Pavlidis dedicated his opening goal to George Baldock
His team-mates held aloft a white shrit bearing Baldock’s name after the defender died aged 31
Former Sheffield United defender George Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool in Greece on Wednesday, with reports claiming he had drowned
The scene where former Sheffield United defender George Baldock was found dead in his swimming pool in Athens, Greece
Baldock made over 400 appearances in English football and spent seven seasons with Sheffield United until this summer, winning two promotions with the Blades.
He then traded England for Greece, signing up with Panathinaikos, and made four appearances with them.
Baldock had qualified to play for Greece through his grandmother and had earned 12 caps over the last couple of years.
He was discovered after his partner back home in England had been unable to get hold of him for several hours, local newspapers report.
The owner of his luxury property was reportedly contacted and apparently found him unresponsive in the pool. The emergency services were called and arrived in nine minutes, but he could not be revived.
Police tried cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the 31-year-old former Premier League player but could not revive him and medical emergency units confirmed his death at the scene, one official told Reuters.
His family have said they are in total ‘shock’ over his death.
‘We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family we are in shock at this terrible loss. We ask please that the media respect our privacy at this time’, his family said in a statement.
Greece’s stars had takena photo with a Baldock shirt ahead of kick-off as they paid tribute
England and Greece spent time remembering Baldock ahead of their match at Wembley
Players observed a minute’s silence to remember Baldock ahead of their Nations League tie
Athens broadsheet Kathimerini claims that a post-mortem examination was completed in the Greek capital today and ‘drowning in water’ has been given as the cause of death by the medical examiner.
Toxicology tests taken during the autopsy – including whether alcohol was present in his system when he died – will take ‘several days’ to come back. Police have already ruled out any criminal activity.
The Hellenic Football Federation said: ‘With deep sadness and pain, the National Team and the Hellenic Football Federation say goodbye to George Baldock.
‘There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely loss of one of our young people. The moment calls for silence.
‘Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family. Goodbye’.
Panathinaikos also paid tribute, writing: ‘We are overwhelmed, we are shocked by the loss of our George. The family of Panathinaikos mourns his untimely death. We stand by the family and relatives of George Baldock.’
England international Ben Chilwell, who played with Baldock at MK Dons, penned a heartfelt tribute. ‘From hitting the bars together when we were younger in MK, to playing each other in the Premier League. I am heartbroken. Rest in peace mate,’ he wrote on Instagram.
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire also paid tribute to the defender, simply posting ‘RIP’, alongside a broken heart emoji. Southampton fullback Kyle Walker-Peters wrote: ‘Horrible news. RIP George.’
Chelsea and England defender Ben Chilwell paid tribute to Baldock, who he played with during their time together at MK Dons
England defender Harry Maguire was among the first to react, writing ‘RIP’ on Instagram
Police will be looking at the CCTV from the property to confirm he was alone
Tributes are laid for ex-Sheffield United player George Baldock outside the club’s Bramall Lane stadium this afternoon
George was known as ‘Starman’ by supporters who sung an ode to him at matches to the tune of the David Bowie hit
Flowers and shirts were hung in his memory – he spent seven years with the Blades
This card said he was a club ‘legend’ who would ‘always be in our hearts’
There were also tributes from his former clubs in England as well as the FA.
Baldock’s wife reportedly tried to contact him for several hours without a response, before she got in touch with the owner of his villa.
After searching the suburban property, they found Baldock in the communal pool and called the emergency services.
He was reportedly in the water for several hours before he was found, according to images seen by the response unit.
His boyhood club, MK Dons, said they were ‘devastated’ to hear the news, in an emotional post as they said he ‘will always be one of our own’.
They said: ‘We are deeply devastated and saddened to learn about the shocking news of former Academy graduate and MK Dons player, George Baldock.
‘George started his career at Stadium MK, where he worked his way through the youth ranks and made his senior career debut at the Club before reaching the heights of the Premier League in later years.
‘Everyone affiliated with MK Dons shares a great love for George, Sam and the Baldock family, and we would like to share our sincerest condolences during these awful times.
‘You will always be one of our own, George.’
More to follow.
