England began their Euro 2024 campaign with a 1-0 win over Serbia at the Veltins Arena. The result saw Gareth Southgate’s men go top of Group C, with the other group fixture between Slovenia and Denmark earlier in the day having ended in a 1-1 draw.
The solitary goal of the evening came from the head of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, who nodded home in the 13th minute. There was a second half chance for Harry Kane- another header opportunity, but chances were otherwise at a premium in this fixture.
England were happy to sit back after taking an early lead, and only had 5 attempts in the entire fixture. Serbia managed one more (6 shots) but didn’t really trouble Jordan Pickford in the Three Lions goal. The likes of Phil Foden, Filip Kostic and Dusan Vlahovic were anonymous, and the quality of footy on display- from both sides, wasn’t really the greatest.
Nevertheless, a win is a win, and Southgate will take it- he’s the only England manager to have won his opening games at the Euro finals, having also done it in the previous edition against Croatia.
England’s next game is on Thursday against Denmark in Frankfurt.
