England kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a gritty 1-0 victory against Serbia in a tightly contested Group C encounter on Sunday.
The young midfielder Jude Bellingham emerged as the match-winner for England, rising majestically above the Serbian defenders in the 13th minute to nod home a deflected Bukayo Saka cross.
The goal’s origins lay deep in midfield, a testament to Bellingham’s well-rounded contribution to the game.
Bellingham, who enjoyed a stellar domestic season with Real Madrid, continued his impressive form on the international stage, demonstrating not only his technical prowess but also his aerial dominance in the penalty area.
Despite enjoying a significant possession advantage throughout the first half, Gareth Southgate’s team found it difficult to translate their control into clear-cut scoring opportunities.
Serbia, on the other hand, deployed a deep defensive strategy, packing their penalty area with defenders and frustrating England’s attacking forays.
This tactic proved effective in limiting England’s chances in the first half, as the Serbs went into the break without registering a single shot on target.
The second half saw a change in momentum as Serbia emerged with renewed vigour.
Their approach became more positive, with coach Slavoljub Muslin introducing a more attacking midfielder in an attempt to find an equalizer.
However, their improved attacking intent didn’t translate into clear chances.
England’s defence remained resolute, with central defenders John Stones and Marc Guehi marshalling the backline effectively.
The ever-reliable Jordan Pickford in goal was largely untested for most of the half, with Serbia’s only real scoring opportunity coming in the 77th minute.
Predrag Rajkovic pulled off a stunning reflex save to deny Harry Kane’s close-range header what seemed like a certain goal.
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In his post-match interview, England captain Harry Kane acknowledged the challenging nature of the encounter.
England captain Harry Kane reflected on the match in a post-game interview with the BBC:
“We knew it was going to be a tough game. Serbia poses a lot of threats and have some good players. They will make it a battle for you, and I think we dealt with it really well. There was a spell in the second half where we got camped in our box, and we found it hard to get out, but it was an important win tonight. It’s good to get the three points and progress.”
He applauded Serbia’s fighting spirit and highlighted England’s defensive solidity in weathering their opponent’s second-half pressure.
Kane emphasized the significance of securing the three points, believing it to be a positive step towards England’s progression in the tournament.
The win provided a strong foundation for England’s Euro 2024 campaign, with Kane crediting the team’s collective effort and resilience for securing the victory.
