England begin Euro 2024 campaign with victory over Serbia
'He writes his own script' - Southgate on Bellingham plus more reaction
Victory puts England top of Group C after Denmark and Slovenia drew earlier on Saturday
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FT: Serbia 0-1 England
Highlights: England 1-0 Serbia
And with that we are wrapping up our live text coverage after six-and-a-half hours.
England are up and running at Euro 2024 but there is certainly room for improvement.
And don't forget we've got three more games on Monday - Romania-Ukraine (14:00 BST), Belgium-Slovakia (17:00) and Austria-France (20:00).
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
Izzy Christiansen
Former England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live
Harry Kane didn't touch the ball a lot tonight, he played a very unselfish role.
The ball in from Jarrod Bowen was beautiful and Kane generated enough power, but it was a brilliant save.
Harry Kane's moment will come in this tournament.
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
Image source, BBC SportOne game. Top of the Group C. Next up is Denmark in Frankfurt on Thursday.
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
England
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "A great test.
"We knew it was going to be a competitive game, but we showed our class and resilience.
"We did everything we needed to do to win and get a clean sheet. Serbia's keeper made a great save to stop H [Harry Kane] from taking us 2-0 up.
"Off the ball we are working hard together and if we lose it we use our shape to press and get the ball back."
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
Cesc Fabregas
Former Spain midfielder on BBC One
I thought it was a mixed performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold. There were moments where he was superb but other times he was a bit complacent with the ball. He made a mistake that led to a chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic but he reacted and recovered well, showed good personality. The more he plays in the midfield the better he will become.
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
'It's alright' being Jude Bellingham right now
92 touches. 70 passes. One attempt on target. One goal. Player of the match.
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Everyone questioned our defending coming into the tournament, and now we've spent 45 minutes soaking up pressure and defending magnificently and people are complaining?
Tom
You take a 1-0 win against a robust team. England didn't have it all their own way and have had to defend. Considering the defence has been cited as a weakness I thought they defended with composure and strength.
Higgy
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
Rio Ferdinand
Former England defender on BBC One
As a team England need to really look at how they want to see games out. There are different way to do it. You can sit back on the edge of your box in a low block, but that can get a bit like panic stations at times.
The other way is to be dominant with the ball and taking the onus away from the opposition, play higher and being confident. It was a bit nervy towards the end, behind the sofa stuff.
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
England
More from England manager Gareth Southgate, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "I didn't expect it to be any other way.
"We played an opponent who can play well and be direct. I was pleased we played the way we did in the first half, we should have probably had a second with the chances we created."
On Jude Bellingham: "He seems to write his own scripts. He welcomes the attention and he keeps delivering.
"He had some outstanding moments in the game and equally our two wide players and central midfielder players did well working around him."
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
'Bellingham writes his own scripts' - Southgate's reaction to England's win over Serbia
More from Gareth Southgate, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live about Marc Guehi: "Really pleased for him.
"I saw the player I have seen every week for his club, positionally he was sound. Today was going to be a particular test in terms of his stature as he's not the biggest centre-back, but he dealt with the aerial threat really well."
On injuries:"Kieran [Trippier] was just cramp. As far as I know everyone has come through well."
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland midfielder Trent Alexander-Arnold, speaking to UEFA.com: "To get the win was what our objective was. It is very important to start a tournament with a win. Definitely don't lose the game but we know we have the quality to win the game and we proved that today. We had to earn it but those are the ones that feel even better. We have defended excellently."
On playing in midfield: "I found it good. Physically demanding. But when you are playing with Declan, Jude and with a experienced back four behind you, and Jude and Declan who communicate really well, it's hard to go wrong."
Group C returns on Thursday with:
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
Joe Hart
Former England goalkeeper on BBC Radio 5 Live
Image source, Getty ImagesThe game was screaming out for a change.
Jarrod Bowen came on and straight away he created a chance for Harry Kane.
Conor Gallagher was exceptional, he was everywhere and he brought that energy. There was some gaps opening up on the field, but the fouls Gallagher was winning were so important in this victory.
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Footfall22: I’d give Foden 20 minutes against Denmark and if he’s still not delivering I’d drop him for Palmer.
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland goalscorer Jude Bellingham, speaking to BBC Sport about his celebration against Serbia: "When we play wolf, one of the staff loves that face when he doesn't have a clue what is going on. That is a bit of a celebration for the wolf crew."
On getting fouled a lot: "Since I started playing at Birmingham it is something I have to get used to. Today I felt really calm and relaxed and know my team-mates have my back. I am willing to do whatever it takes and ready to do everything to help the country win this football tournament."
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
Micah Richards
Former England defender on BBC One
I was very impressed with Marc Guehi's performance, he was very calm and composed. It must be daunting to enter your first major tournament at times but he did not show it at all. He did the basics very well, didn't try to do anything out of the ordinary. He was always on the front foot and ready.
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Ellis: Plenty of room for improvement, 4 weeks to the final. Excellent squad but definitely not the best team out in Germany.
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
England
Image source, Getty ImagesEngland defender Marc Guehi, speaking to UEFA.com: "I am very happy with the performance. It's always hard to get off to a good start in a major tournament. The most important thing was to get the win and we did that. We need to focus now, improve and on to the next one.
"For me, I enjoyed it a lot. It was a great atmosphere and I am just grateful top play with such experienced players. They make it easier for me to play in my position and they help me and the team. It is a more of a team performance and I am just glad to have top professionals around me.
"Very, very important. If we are going to go far in this tournament, we are going to have to suffer and it was a great test for us. It is a good learning curve for the team and hopefully we can take it on to the next game."
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
Micah Richards
Former England defender on BBC One
It makes me sad when I see a player of Phil Foden's quality in and out of games. At Manchester City it is all coordinated with Pep Guardiola and the system that they play, we need to find ways to get him involved.
When he is coming from a wide position it is difficult for him, he goes from pressing out wide to coming back inside and he needs a full back to go and overlap so he can get those combinations going.
FT: Serbia 0-1 England
England
Image source, ReutersEngland midfielder Trent Alexander-Arnold, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live: "We have done a lot of talking this week. I have been talking through the role and guided on how they want me to execute it - it's credit to them [coaching staff] how they have helped me adapt to the position."
Highlights: England 1-0 Serbia
Jude Bellingham inspired England to the start they wanted at Euro 2024 with the winning goal and a stunning individual performance in the victory over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
Bellingham's dream season – which brought him a Champions League triumph at the end of his first campaign with Real Madrid – continued as he demonstrated exactly why he is regarded as England's new superstar.
The 20-year-old powered on to the end of Bukayo Saka's deflected cross with a magnificent header after 13 minutes as Gareth Southgate's side were rewarded for an impressive opening.
England, who started with Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, fell back into old habits after the break as they sat back, their reduced intensity allowing Serbia to apply pressure. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made an important late save from Dusan Vlahovic.
Harry Kane came close to adding a second for England when he saw a header from substitute Jarrod Bowen's cross superbly touched on to the bar by Serbia keeper Predrag Rajkovic.
England will need to improve, but this was at least a result that will send them into their second Group C game against Denmark on Thursday in good heart.
'Jude is an unbelievable player' - Kane reacts to victory against Serbia
Bellingham's imperious display, mixing glorious natural talent with an air of quality and arrogance, was a graphic illustration of why he carries so much of England's hope for this next month on his young shoulders.
The former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund player shows astonishing maturity for one so young, bolstered by a season in which he took Spain by storm – and England are the beneficiaries as they look to end a sequence of falling short at major tournaments.
He showed power and conviction to score that stunning header, while his composure on the ball even in the tightest situations was a powerful and potent weapon for Southgate's team.
Bellingham relishes the freedom the number 10 role gives him, offering him licence to exert influence all over the pitch as the fulcrum of this England side.
He departed late on to a standing ovation from the England fans who have made him their new idol, relishing the sight of him performing his trademark arms-outstretched celebration in front of supporters at one end after his goal before running to the centre circle to whip up England's followers at the other.
Bellingham was even seen smiling on the big screens as he sat relaxed in the dugout in the closing seconds after another high point in his stunning year.
England and Southgate will now hope for more from their talisman as the Euro 2024 campaign progresses in Germany.
'Sloppy' England have to work on mentality - Richards
Winning was exactly what manager Southgate wanted, but this was far from perfect as England made hard work of putting away a workmanlike but uninspiring Serbia.
The Euro 2020 runners-up looked on course to comfortably dispatch Serbia after getting that early lead but, as so often has been the case in the past, there was a drop-off after half-time that encouraged their opponents, Pickford coming to the rescue.
England had major positives in the performances of Arsenal's Bukayo Saka, who looked refreshed and particularly dangerous in the first half, while Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi did everything required as John Stones' new partner.
Southgate was insistent starting with three points was paramount in the group. The objective was achieved but not without leaving the manager issues to pore over before England play Denmark.
Alexander-Arnold showed how he can add an extra attacking dimension in midfield, but he also conceded possession in dangerous territory, particularly when Aleksandar Mitrovic shot narrowly wide in the first half.
England's left side of Kieran Trippier and Phil Foden did not function anywhere near expectation. Foden, a player who performed so superbly in Manchester City's Premier League title win, was an unusually peripheral figure.
For now, the win will satisfy Southgate, but there is plenty to work on.
After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | -4 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points | Form, Last 6 games, Oldest first |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Manager: Dragan Stojkovic
Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1
Manager: Gareth Southgate
Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
UEFA European Championship
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This will be England and Serbia’s first encounter since the latter re-emerged as an independent state in 2006. In fact, since the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, England have only faced Serbia and Montenegro once in 2003, winning 2-1 in an international friendly.
England are unbeaten in their last six matches against Serbia/Yugoslavia, winning each of their last four. Their last defeat was against Yugoslavia in the semi-finals of EURO 1968.
As an independent nation, Serbia have qualified for a UEFA EURO tournament for the first time. They competed as Yugoslavia and FR Yugoslavia in five editions previously, finishing as runners-up on two occasions in 1960 and 1968.
Serbia’s most recent UEFA EURO finals appearance was in 2000 as FR Yugoslavia, reaching the quarter-finals before losing 6-1 to the Netherlands. It remains the only time a nation has conceded six goals in a UEFA EURO match.
33% of Serbia’s goals in UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying were headers (5 out of 15), the highest ratio amongst any team that have reached the finals in Germany.
England are taking part in their 11th UEFA European Championship – no team has played as many games in the tournament without ever winning it (38 matches).
Penalty shoot-outs excluded, England have lost only one of their last 18 games at the European Championship (W10 D7) – it was against Iceland in the round of 16 of the 2016 edition (1-2).
England topped their UEFA EURO 2024 qualifying group with 20 points, six ahead of Italy in second place, winning six and drawing two games. It is the eighth consecutive major qualifying group they have finished in first place, since failing to qualify for EURO 2008 after coming third in that qualifying campaign.
No European player has scored more goals than England’s Harry Kane across the last three major international tournaments, 12 in total (6 at WC 2018, 4 at EURO 2020, 2 at WC 2022). The only other player to match that tally is France’s Kylian Mbappé.
Head-coach Gareth Southgate will be leading England at a fourth major tournament after World Cup 2018 (4th place), EURO 2020 (2nd) and World Cup 2022 (quarter-finalists). At Euro 1996, he was one of only three England players to play all 510 minutes alongside David Seaman and Tony Adams – he missed a penalty in the semi-final shoot-out against Germany.
Current head-coach Dragan Stojković has made the most appearances of any Serbian player at the UEFA EURO finals, playing seven times across the 1984 and 2000 tournaments for Yugoslavia, scoring once.
