England kicked off their Euro 2024 campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 win over Serbia in Group C at the Arena AufSchalke, thanks to a very early header by Jude Bellingham.
The English team started great, enjoying possession against a Serbian team that was often packing their defense. But they got their first goal in the 13th minute when Kyle Walker's accurate long pass found Bukayo Saka on the right wing. His crossed ball was deflected off Strahinja Pavlovic where Jude Bellingham nodded it past Predrag Rajkovic.
Serbia responded quickly as Aleksandar Mitrovic shot only inches wide and Dusan Vlahovic saw a effort blocked. Bukayo Saka was a continued menace and he and Walker combined well before the latter's dangerous cross-shot flashed right across the face of goal.
The first half showed we have the capability to score against anyone, and the second half showed that we can keep a clean sheet," Bellingham spoke after the game. "We had to soak up some pressure, but everything good comes with keeping clean sheets, so that one goal was enough to win it. So, all in all, happy with the performance."
Even post England's control, Serbia still created danger – substitute Filip Mladenovic running onto driven Vlahovic's cross early in the second half. The response saw Trent Alexander-Arnold test Rajkovic with a powerful strike, before Jordan Pickford and Kieran Trippier did enough to prevent a clear chance from falling to Mitrovic.
Wave after wave of fresh energy arrived via Serbia's substitutes, with Dusan Tadic providing an opening cross which only just eluded Luka Jovic. Yet, unbelievably, it was England who came closer to scoring again … Rajkovic tipping a Harry Kane header onto the crossbar. Pickford also stood in the way of Vlahovic late on, meaning Serbia's hopes for an equalizer were definitively lost.
In summary, an opening win fundamental to their Euro 2024 came England's way through early attacking flamboyance and characterization through defense against the threats from Serbia.
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