England started their Euro 2024 campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over their opponents, securing the top spot in Group C. Jude Bellingham’s decisive header was the highlight of the match, ensuring Gareth Southgate’s side claimed all three points.
In a dominant first half, England showcased their prowess, with Harry Kane coming close to scoring as his header was deftly pushed onto the crossbar. Despite their early dominance, England faced a more challenging second half but managed to hold on to their lead.
Up next for England is a crucial encounter against Denmark on Thursday, where they will look to build on this positive start and further solidify their position in the group standings.
Report:
England kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory over Serbia, securing the top spot in Group C after the first round of matches.
Gareth Southgate’s side started brightly, with Jude Bellingham opening the scoring in the 13th minute. Bellingham connected with Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross to head England into an early lead, showcasing their early dominance.
England had opportunities to extend their lead, notably when Kyle Walker’s cross-shot narrowly missed connecting with Phil Foden and Harry Kane. However, their failure to capitalize on these chances resulted in a tense end to the first half, with Serbia gaining momentum after the break.
Serbia pushed for an equalizer, with Aleksandar Mitrovic appealing for a penalty after being nudged by Kieran Trippier, but the referee waved away their claims. Substitute Dusan Tadic and Luka Jovic threatened as Serbia intensified their efforts, causing England to retreat deeper into their own half.
Gareth Southgate made changes from the bench, and Jarrod Bowen almost made an immediate impact with a cross met by Harry Kane, whose header was superbly saved onto the underside of the crossbar by Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
In the end, England managed to hold on to their slim lead, securing a vital three points in their opening match. They now look ahead to a crucial clash against Denmark in their next fixture, aiming to build on their positive start in the tournament.
Key stats:
- England are unbeaten in their last 12 EURO group stage matches (W8 D4), since a 2-1 defeat against France in their opening fixture at EURO 2004.
- The Three Lions have not conceded a goal in their last five EURO group stage matches.
- Aged 20 years 353 days, Bellingham is the youngest player to appear in two EURO final tournaments.
- Bellingham is also England’s third youngest finals goalscorer, behind Wayne Rooney (18 years 237 days, 2004) and Michael Owen (20 years 189 days, 2000).
- Harry Kane played in his 12th EURO finals game, taking him one clear of Gary Neville as England’s outright all-time record appearance-maker in the tournament.
- This was Serbia’s first EURO finals match since 2000.
- Serbia have won only one of their last 12 EURO matches (D2 L9).
- This was only the fourth of Serbia’s last 15 EURO finals games in which they failed to score.
Star performer: Jude Bellingham
At just 20 years old, Jude Bellingham showcased his immense talent and versatility in England’s 1-0 victory over Serbia, earning praise for his decisive impact on the match.
Bellingham played a pivotal role in England’s opening goal, bravely meeting Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross with a header to put his team ahead. Beyond his goal-scoring prowess, Bellingham demonstrated his all-around abilities throughout the game.
Known for his match-winning capabilities at Real Madrid, Bellingham not only contributed offensively but also made crucial defensive interventions, including well-timed tackles and interceptions against the Serbian attack. His passing range was also highlighted, notably with a superb volleyed pass back to Kyle Walker.
Despite facing rough treatment from the Serbian players, Bellingham showed resilience and composure, underscoring his toughness alongside his skill on the ball.
As England eyes success in Germany, Bellingham’s performance will undoubtedly be a key factor. With a strong start to the tournament, the Birmingham-born midfielder has set a high standard for himself and his team moving forward.