By Razeen Gutta
An early Jude Bellingham header was enough for England to take all three points against Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener on Sunday.
The Three Lions got off to flying start in Gelsenkirchen, dominating possession and netting inside just 13 minutes courtesy of a flying header from the Real Madrid star.
Gareth Southgate’s troops looked sharp for the remainder of the opening half, with ample opportunities to add to their advantage.
The Serbians came out rejuvenated after the break, though, threatening in the final third and never allowing England to look comfortable.
But the Euro 2020 runners-up held their nerve and came out with the win to kickstart their tournament, as favourites, on a high note.
England became the first team in the history of the men’s competition to keep five consecutive clean sheets in the group stages of the Euros; and have now also won all their opening games in major tournaments played under Southgate.
In the earlier action, Slovenia and Denmark played out a 1-1 draw, meaning that England go top of Group C after matchday one.
In Group D, Virgil van Dijk led the Netherlands out to victory on his very first Euros appearance. His Liverpool teammate Cody Gakpo put on a man of the match showing as he scored in a 2-1 win over Poland.
Austria take on France in the group’s other game on Monday night football after Romania face Ukraine and Belgium take on Slovakia in Group E.
Pictured above: Jude Bellingham wins it for England
Image source: @england
