England’s Euro 2024 campaign kicked off with a 1-0 victory over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, with midfielder Jude Bellingham standing out as a key player. Bellingham’s header on 13 minutes secured the win for England, but the overall performance left doubts lingering about the team’s ability to become European champions. Despite high expectations, England had only won one of their previous five matches, including a defeat to Iceland in their final warm-up match.
Serbia’s coach had hailed Bellingham as a future Ballon d’Or winner, and the midfielder showed why with a strong performance that showcased his skills and physical prowess. The 20-year-old opened the scoring with a powerful header, putting England ahead early in the match. However, despite dominating the first half, England failed to capitalize on their chances and only held a narrow lead at halftime.
In the second half, England struggled to maintain their lead as Serbia pushed for an equalizer. The defense, missing key players like Harry Maguire, showed signs of weakness, but goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made a crucial save to secure the victory. Harry Kane, who had a quiet night up front, helped out defensively as well, heading away a shot from Serbia’s Veljko Birmancevic.
Gareth Southgate made key substitutions to try to secure the win, with Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen making an impact off the bench. Bowen’s cross led to a chance for Kane, whose header was saved by the Serbian goalkeeper. Overall, it was a solid start for England in the tournament, but they will need to improve their performance if they want to make a statement as one of the favorites to win the Euro 2024 title.
The match against Serbia highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of the England team, with Bellingham shining as a standout player in midfield. While the victory was a positive start for England, there are areas for improvement, particularly in defense and in converting scoring opportunities. With key players stepping up when needed, England will aim to build on this result and continue their quest to become European champions for the first time in their history.
