Jude Bellingham starred for England as they beat Serbia 1-0 of their opening Euro 2024 match.
The Three Lions had been dominant within the first half, pushing the Slavis into theirs personal half for a lot of the opening 45 minutes.
And it was the current Champions League winner who popped up with a vital purpose for Gareth Southgate’s males, powering house a header from shut vary.
Serbia battled again and had been taking part in tough with their opponents, however they may not put the ball into the again of the online.
The second half was extremely scrappy and considerably regarding from England, however contemplating how unhealthy their report is within the opening recreation of European Championships, they are going to be glad to have picked up three large factors and put themselves on the high of Group C.
Because it occurred
As anticipated, England took full management of the sport from the very first minute.
Serbia had a noticeably large squad, with Aleksandar Mitrovic and Dusan Vlahovic main the road.
And it was clear the tactic was to make use of them as holding centre forwards to offer their team-mates likelihood to stand up the pitch when England ultimately misplaced the ball.
Of their warm-up matches, the Three Lions struggled to interrupt down two groups who arrange in low blocks and it was at all times going to be an identical case in opposition to their first Group C opponents.
The opening 10 minutes supplied little for the event favourites when it comes to probabilities.
A number of sideways passing was on show as England took their time to attempt to put on their opponents down.
However when the clock hit double digits, Southgate’s males sparked into life.
An important ball from Walker performed Saka in behind and his deflected cross was powered house by Bellingham, a lot to the delight of the noisy crowd.
It was simply the beginning England needed having seen most of their event rivals go forward early of their opening matches they usually regarded to grab the initiative having scored the primary purpose.
Trademark 📸#EURO2024 | #SRBENG pic.twitter.com/U8Ov4wSEo0
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 16, 2024
However Serbia nonetheless regarded harmful on the counter. Mitrovic reminded his opponents that they do have high quality by firing a low shot inches extensive of Jordan Pickford’s submit.
Walker had an opportunity for himself not lengthy after, driving into the field however opting to attempt to cross the ball throughout the face of purpose fairly than shoot himself.
Nobody was capable of get on the top and Serbia had been spared within the second.
They took the let-off as a motivation to up their recreation they usually definitely loved extra of the ball within the build-up to half-time.
Pickford was by no means actually examined however he was livid on multiple event on the area and time Serbia had been being allowed within the England half.
Serbia continued their surge early within the second half, with the favourites in white unable to retain the ball.
Nikola Milenkovic was getting the higher of Harry Kane and Strahinja Pavlovic was beginning to get in entrance of Saka on the right-hand aspect versus letting him consistently run at him.
Serbia had a penalty shout waved away after Mitrovic was nudged barely by Kieran Trippier however there was no VAR test for the incident, to the fury of the gamers in purple.
The largest likelihood for England within the second half got here by captain Kane, and his effort regarded sure to land behind the online.
Three factors for the Three Lions 🏴#EURO2024 | #SRBENG pic.twitter.com/XTLJmU2Puu
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) June 16, 2024
Substitute Jarrod Bowen delivered a deep cross that the Bayern Munich man ran on to, brushing apart his man and powering a header in the direction of purpose, however an enormous save from Rajkovic pushed the ball onto the bar and Serbia cleared the free ball.
The ultimate ten minutes of the match had been definitely nervous for the Three Lions.
Serbia had thrown so many attackers on that the sport was turning into extremely open and Pickford was pressured right into a flying save to disclaim Vlahovic from distance.
The dying moments had been all about killing the sport for England they usually had been blissful to simply sit in and take in the strain.
It was not fairly, however Southgate’s males managed to get the job completed and choose up their first three factors of the event.
What subsequent for England and Serbia at Euro 2024?
England’s Euro 2024 marketing campaign continues in 4 days once they face Denmark on 20 June.
A win will doubtless assure them a spot within the knockout levels but when they want it, they tackle Slovenia of their ultimate group stage recreation on 25 June.
Serbia will tackle the identical opponents as England in reverse order.
First up is Slovenia on 20 June after which they face Denmark on 25 June.
