England Edges Out Serbia in Euro 2024 Opener with Bellingham's Heroics
In a much-anticipated debut match of Euro 2024, England triumphed over Serbia with a 1-0 victory at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The English side, under the guidance of Gareth Southgate, is eager to end their trophy drought, holding high hopes of winning their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup.
Jude Bellingham, the young star from Real Madrid, was the hero of the match as he opened the scoring in the 13th minute. Bellingham skilfully headed in a cross from Bukayo Saka, thrilling the English fans who celebrated by singing 'Hey Jude.' This goal marked his first in the European Championship and solidified his reputation as a rising star in international football.
Despite the early lead, the match was far from straightforward for England. Harry Kane had a chance to double the lead in the second half with a header, but Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajković made a crucial save, and the crossbar thwarted another attempt. Kane, however, achieved a milestone by making his 23rd appearance in a major tournament, setting a national team record.
The match saw England's form dip in the latter half, with Serbia ramping up the pressure and nearly equalizing. The game recorded only 11 shots combined from both teams - the lowest since 1980 for a Euro Cup game. Nonetheless, the Three Lions managed to cling to their narrow lead to secure first place in Group C, ahead of Denmark and Slovenia’s 1-1 draw earlier in the day.
Off the pitch, tensions between the fans of the two teams led to clashes, prompting police intervention. The match day was marred by these altercations, reflecting the high-risk nature of the event.
In his last tournament as coach, Gareth Southgate is aiming for greatness, especially after the heartbreak of losing in the final to Italy in the last European Championship. England will next face Denmark, and another victory would significantly bolster their position in the group.
- Serbia, participating in its first Euro since 2000, put up a formidable fight but failed to capitalize on their second-half opportunities. The loss pushes them to prepare rigorously for their next match against Slovenia.
- This victory marks another feather in Bellingham's cap as he now holds the distinction of being the first European player to participate in three major international tournaments before turning 21, adding another layer to his burgeoning football career.
