Euro Result: Serbia 0-1 England

Jude Bellingham scored one goal in Gelsenkirchen as the runners-up in EURO 2020 won Group C to start their 2024 campaign.

Serbia’s strategy was undone after 13 minutes as England got out to a bright start, controlling the ball for extended periods of time and regularly dropping opponents behind the ball. Properly weighted by Kyle Walker, Bukayo Saka set up a cross from the right that looped up wonderfully for the quickly approaching Bellingham to smash a header beyond Predrag Rajković after it rebounded off the falling Strahinja Pavlović.

While Dušan Vlahović’s attempt was blocked and Aleksandar Mitrović‘s shot went narrowly wide, Serbia threatened to respond right away. However, at the other end, the energetic Saka, who was threatening throughout the first half, released Walker for a run into the area that resulted in a cross-shot across the goal’s face.

Even though England appeared to be in control, Serbia had demonstrated enough to imply that they were still a threat, and Filip Mladenović, a replacement, came dangerously near to adding the final touch to Vlahović’s low driven cross early in the second half. England responded in kind through Trent Alexander-Arnold, stinging Rajković’s hands, but Mitrović had to use a combination of Kieran Trippier and Jordan Pickford to keep the score from going level.

After Dušan Tadić almost put in Luka Jović, Serbia’s substitutes gave the squad new life. However, England came closest to scoring a second goal when Rajković deflected a header from Harry Kane and it struck the crossbar. In the last moments, Pickford had to block a shot by Vlahović, but it was the closest Serbia got to tying the score.

Important statistics

Since a 2-1 loss to France in their first-ever EURO 2004 encounter, England has gone undefeated in their past 12 group stage games (W8 D4).
In their previous five EURO group stage games, the Three Lions have not let up a goal.
Bellingham, who is 20 years 353 days old, is the youngest player to have participated in two EURO final events.
In addition, Bellingham is the third-youngest goalscorer for England in the finals, after Michael Owen (20 years 189 days, 2000) and Wayne Rooney (18 years 237 days, 2004).
Harry Kane, who participated in his 12th EURO finals match, surpassed Gary Neville by one to become England’s all-time record appearance maker in the competition.
For Serbia, this was their first EURO finals game since 2000.
In their past 12 EURO matches, Serbia has only won once (D2 L9).
at their past 15 games at the EURO championships, Serbia has only failed to score in four of those games.