England got their Euro 2024 campaign off to an excellent start after Jude Bellingham’s first half goal saw Gareth Southgate’s side seal a 1-0 victory against Serbia on Sunday night.
Fresh from clinching the Champions League final with Real Madrid, Bellingham produced a powerful header to give England the lead after just 13 minutes.
But it was far from an easy win for England, with Jordan Pickford producing a fantastic save to deny Serbia a late equaliser, with Dragan Stojkovic’s side growing into the match to ask questions of the Three Lions late on.
Despite a late resurgence from Serbia, England held on and will now take command of Group C following Denmark’s 1-1 draw against Slovenia earlier on Sunday night.
Mail Sport’s Craig Hope delivers his England player ratings from their 1-0 victory against Serbia.
Jude Bellingham (centre) got England’s Euro 2024 campaign off to the perfect start on Sunday
The Real Madrid star scored a diving header to give his side an early lead in their win against Serbia
Gareth Southgate’s (pictured) was delighted with his team’s victory but knows there are improvements to be made
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford 7
He was a spectator in the first half but made a big gather in his goalmouth shortly after half-time, bravely getting down amid bodies to snaffle a cross. His kicking was sound and, while the clean sheet was not the hardest he’ll achieve, it was a safe performance with one top save late on.
Kyle Walker 7
He was a real threat from an attacking perspective, in the first half especially. It was his cute pass in behind the full-back that freed Saka to cross for the breakthrough goal and he needed no encouragement to break forward from right back. Quieter after the break.
John Stones 6.5
A nervy first touch inside 60 seconds that would have led to a scoring opportunity for Serbia, had he not recovered to correct his error. He saw lots of the ball and did not seem to waste it once, but was outdone for pace during one second-half scare for England.
Marc Guehi 6
He was a lot more assured than in some recent internationals, but there will be far greater tests than this. There was also a poor touch that could have caused trouble for England when he over-ran the ball in midfield, and he was outdone in another duel. But, on the whole, this was better from the centre-back.
Jordan Pickford (centre) produced a sensational save to deny Serbia late on during the game
A real threat from an attacking perspective in the first half, Kyle Walker (left) orchestrated the move for England’s opening goal
John Stones (centre) saw lots of the ball and did not seem to waste it once but was outdone for pace
Marc Guehi (right) had a better performance tonight for England, but he will come up against greater tests than this
Kieran Trippier (left) was solid in defence claiming a couple of several crucial aerial wins
Kieran Trippier7
Exactly what you’d expect – solid if unspectacular, and that’s all he had to be. There were a couple of good aerial wins and one crucial interception in the penalty area as Serbia pressed for parity early in the second half. Luke Shaw is no cert to return if and when he is fit.
Declan Rice 7
His team needed him early in the second half as Serbia grew in confidence and boy did he step up during that period, winning tackles, making interceptions and even threading passes forward to alleviate a spell of pressure. His importance to the team is evident. The partnership with Alexander-Arnold did not work, however.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 5
Some good, some bad. More so of the latter, unfortunately. His mistake almost led to a Serbia goal in the first half and his passing surrendered possession on a couple of occasions. There were a couple of lovely balls to spring the likes of Saka clear, but on the whole this midfield experiment did not work.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) produced a mistake that nearly cost England a goal but still produced several lovely passes to free his team-mates
The partnership between declan Rice (front) and Alexander-Arnold did not work, but the Arsenal midfielder stepped up where England needed him tonight
Bellingham (centre) was everywhere tonight and was easily England’s top performer
Bukayo Saka 7
He tortured Serbia down the right in the first half and every time he got the ball he beat his man and delivered. It was his cross, albeit deflected, that created Bellingham’s opener. Unlike Foden, he looked happy in his position and knew exactly how to impact. He faded though and still looks short of his very best.
Jude Bellingham 8
You could tell he was in the mood inside two minutes when producing an outrageous touch to beat an opponent. He was everywhere, doing the job of a No.10, No.8 and No.6. His goal, a diving header, was all about timing and bravery. He was England’s best by a distance, even if he did fade second half. MOM.
Phil Foden 4.5
An ineffective first half in which there were still 27 passes, but none of them penetrative or memorable. He existed on the periphery and did not beat his full-back once. Even his passing became sloppy. A shadow of the player who won Premier League Player of the Year.
Harry Kane 5.5
The captain had just two touches in the first half and was anonymous. Twice the ball travelled through the six-yard area and you’d expect him to be there. Bellingham was more effective stepping into his domain, but he was unlucky when heading against the bar and also produced a big goalmouth block at other end.
It was Bukayo Saka (right) who delivered the cross, albeit deflected, that allowed Bellingham to score the opener
Phil Foden (pictured) struggled to have an effect on the game and failed to beat his opposition full-back
England’s captain, Harry Kane (pictured) also underwhelmed having just two touches in the first half
Substitutes
Conor Gallagher (on for Alexander-Arnold, 69) 6
He was brought on to help bring solidity to a midfield that was losing control and he was more disciplined than the man he replaced. Southgate could now look to start with Gallagher.
Jarrod Bowen (on for Saka, 76) 6.5
He impacted immediately when beating his man and standing up a cross for Kane to attack, the captain’s header hitting the crossbar. He was lively and looked a good option from the bench in terms of the energy he injected.
Kobbie Mainoo (on for Bellingham, 86) N/A
Manager – Gareth Southgate 6
The team he sent out certainly did what he asked and they bossed the first half, playing with confidence and control, even if clear-cut chances were too few. But England lost that control and the manager responded by bringing on Gallagher, which helped. But still we leave with questions.
Referee – Daniele Orsato 6.5
It took the Italian 38 minutes to produce a card for a foul on Bellingham, and there had been ample opportunity to do so earlier. Nonetheless, there were no errors from the officials and, as the game went on, Orsato got to grips with the Serbians. A decent enough evening.
Southgate could start with Conor Gallagher (centre) in midfield, after he provided more solidarity
Jarrod Bowen (left) came on in the 76th minute and instantly provided an injection of pace England needed
Southgate’s (right) team bossed the first half playing with confidence and control but struggled to create clear-cut chances
Serbia (3-5-1-1)
Rajkovic 5.5; Veljkovic 6, Milenkovic 6, Pavlovic 5; Zivkovic 5.5, Milinkovic-Savic 7, Gudelj 5 (Illic 45, 5), Lukic 5 (Jovic 61, 5), Kostic 4 (Mladenovic 6 43, 5); Vlahovic 4.5, Mitrovic 4 (Tadic 61, 6.5)
Manager: Dragan Stojkovic 5
