Jude Bellingham's stunning header secured England a 1-0 victory over Serbia, but doubts linger over their quest for European glory.
New Delhi: Jude Belingham’s stunner goal got England ‘s 2024 campaign off to a flying start but a 1-o victory over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen failed to banish doubts over the Three Lion’s quest to become European champions for the first time.
Bellingham was showing his class on the pitch as the Real Madrid midfielder’s header on 13 minutes displayed a fine individual performance.
Expectations for England ahead of a major tournament have rarely been higher, but the team had won just one of its previous five matches, including a 1-0 defeat to Iceland in its final warm-up match before heading to Germany.
Restored to full strength, it seemed everything would be alright on the night for Gareth Southgate’s squad, which made a dominant start befitting a Euro 2020 finalist.
On the eve of the game, Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic hailed Jude Bellingham as a future Ballon d’Or winner, and the young star put on a show to justify his status as arguably the world’s best player on current form.
The 20-year-old played with the confidence of a newly-crowned Champions League winner, making the Serbian midfield look ineffective. Bellingham also demonstrated his physical prowess to open the scoring, showing why he is one of the most exciting talents in the game today.
.@BellinghamJude with an absolute beauty
#SonySportsNetwork #EURO2024 #JudeBellingham #SRBENG pic.twitter.com/IMFyF9C28r
— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) June 16, 2024
He started the move before bursting into the box to meet Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross with a amazing header into the top corner.
England was looking dominant in the first 45 minutes without ever threatening to cut loose.
Kyle Walker had the best opportunity to double its lead before the break when he pulled an effort wide after a lung-bursting run into the Serbian box from right-back.
Southgate’s one tactical move with starting line-up was to play Livepool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield. That decision nearly backfired as it was an Alexander-Arnold error that gifted Serbia its only sight of goal in the first half.
Three points for the Three Lions
#EURO2024 | #SRBENG pic.twitter.com/XTLJmU2Puu
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 16, 2024
Alexander-Arnold was dispossessed on the edge of the England box but the in-form Aleksandar Mitrovic, who scored 40 goals in 43 games for Saudi Champions Al Hilal this season, fired wide.
The second period was a different story as England sat on its lead and was lucky not to be punished.
Southgate’s men entered the tournament with concerns about their defense, particularly due to the absence of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw’s lack of match practice.
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi filled in for Maguire, but had a moment to forget as he was outpaced by Dusan Vlahovic, while Filip Mladenovic failed to connect with the Juventus striker’s cross.
Mitrovic had an optimistic penalty claim waved away, and Luka Jovic squandered another decent chance by failing to control Dusan Tadic’s pass.
Southgate turned to his bench to stem the tide, bringing on Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen. Bowen made an immediate impact as his cross found Harry Kane, whose header was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic.
That was Kane’s only significant contribution in the opposition box on a frustrating night for the Bayern Munich striker. Indeed, Kane’s most crucial touch came at the other end moments later when he headed away Veljko Birmancevic’s goalbound shot.
Jordan Pickford was called into action late, making his only save from Vlahovic’s dipping drive.
Despite the lack of a dominant performance expected from the pre-tournament favorites, England held on to start with three points.
