England took their first steps at Euro 2024 with a nervous 1-0 win over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen. Jude Bellingham put Gareth Southgate’s side ahead with an early header, but they struggled to establish themselves after that as their opponents raised a few alarms. Harry Kane could have extended England’s lead in the second half, but his header from Jarrod Bowen’s cross was pushed onto the crossbar.
England is now top Group C and will meet Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday.
MAN OF THE MATCH – JUDE BELLINGHAM (ENGLAND)
If you’ve seen the Adidas ad placed on Hey Jude, you’ll be aware that Bellingham has high expectations for this English team. He was comfortably England’s best player, controlling the midfield and getting into the box late on to head home the winning goal.
PLAYER RATINGS
Serbia: Rajković 7; Veljković 6, Milenković 6, Pavlović 7; Živković 6, Milinković-Savić 6, Gudelj 5, Lukić 6, Kostić 6; Vlahović 6, Mitrović 5
REPLACEMENTS: Mladenović 7, Ilić 6, Jokić 6, Tadić 6, Birmancevic 6
England: Pickford 7; Walker 7, Stones 6, Guehi 7, Trippier 6; Alexander-Arnold 6, Rice 7, Bellingham 8; Saka 7, Kane 6, Foden 5
SCORES: Gallagher 6, Bowen 7, Mainu 6
Match broadcast: Complete match statistics and commentary
THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE MATCH
13′ GOAL! SERBIA 0 ENGLAND 1 (BELLINGHAM) England scores a goal from the first real attack. Walker flicks the ball down the inside right channel for Saka in the area. Saka dangles a cross into the middle, where Bellingham runs in and heads high into the corner.
20′ CHANCE! Alexander-Arnold loses the ball near his own area. Serbia goes to Mitrović near the D, who rushes fiercely just past the near post. I think Pickford has it covered, but it’s a warning to England not to be careless.
25′ GREAT CHANCE! Aleksandar-Arnold intercepts the ball in the center circle. Saka picks him up and feeds Walker, sending him into Serbian territory at top speed. Eventually Walker is caught between a cross and a shot, but does neither, curling a low ball 6 yards out and into the goal. He had to shoot there, for sure.
77′ SUPER SAVE! Bowen went right into it, beat Mladenović on the right side and hung a cross at the back post. Kane climbs high and shoots a header at goal, which Rajkovic deflects onto the crossbar and goes out. What a stop!
82′ GOOD SAVE Vlahović comes to the free ball on the edge of the penalty area, before turning and clearing the ball with his left foot. It’s straight to Pickford, who takes no chances and throws the ball over the crossbar. From the resulting corner, Kane had to take a header from the penalty area, which he celebrates with delight.