The Euro 2024 campaign kicked off with England securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Serbia. The decisive goal came in the 13th minute when Jude Bellingham powered a header into the back of the net after connecting with Bukayo Saka’s cross. Bellingham’s goal set the tone for an exciting first half where England looked dominant and in control.
Despite the strong start, England found themselves on the back foot in the second half as Serbia mounted significant pressure. The once dynamic attacking play from England was replaced with a sense of unease as Serbia pushed forward in search of an equalizer. The lack of fluency in the second half raised questions about England’s ability to maintain momentum over the course of the game.
Serbia’s offensive onslaught in the second half tested England’s defensive capabilities. With a makeshift defense that included the inexperienced Marc Guéhi and right-footed Kieran Trippier playing out of position at left-back, England had to dig deep to secure the win. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was called into action multiple times to keep Serbia at bay as they pushed for a late goal.
Jude Bellingham’s performance was a standout feature of the match, with the young midfielder not only scoring the crucial goal but also setting the tempo for England’s attacking play. The introduction of Conor Gallagher and Jarrod Bowen off the bench provided fresh legs and attacking impetus, helping England weather the storm in the second half. Captain Harry Kane also had his moments, with a header that was saved by the Serbian goalkeeper.
England may have secured the win, but it was far from a convincing performance. The team showed glimpses of their attacking prowess in the first half but struggled to maintain their momentum in the second half. The defensive resilience displayed by the makeshift backline will be a positive takeaway for manager Gareth Southgate as they look ahead to their next match against Denmark.
England’s narrow victory over Serbia highlighted both their strengths and weaknesses as they navigate through the group stages of Euro 2024. The team will need to address their second-half struggles and find a balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity to progress further in the tournament. With tough fixtures ahead, England must build on this win and continue to improve as they strive for success in Euro 2024.