England’s Euro 2024 is up and running but it was a performance with plenty of room for improvement.
Jude Bellingham’s superb headed goal gave England a flying start but they couldn’t build on that, despite a dominant first half in which Bukayo Saka looked a real threat.
Serbia came into the game in the second half and England were indebted to Jordan Pickford for a superb save from Dusan Vlahovic. They failed to reassert their control, with Harry Kane quiet and Phil Foden looking unconvincing on the left.
Here’s how we rated England’s players.
Jordan Pickford 6
When you need him, he’s almost always there for England. His fingertip save from Dusan Vlahovic was outstanding, and all the more impressive given how little else he had to cope with.
Kyle Walker 6
How England were grateful for his nous when the pressure increased in the second period. One positive on a night of questions was how good they looked as a defensive unit
Marc Guehi 7
Plenty of discourse in the build-up about England’s defence but Guehi played well. When Serbia upped the ante in the second half he stood firm and Southgate will be encouraged by this.
John Stones 7
The beginnings of a partnership with Guehi which will be crucial for England? We can but hope. They seemed to work pretty well in tandem.
Kieran Trippier 6
Steady away – and that was a really good thing for England. He’s probably holding the fort for Luke Shaw when he comes back but no worries here.
Declan Rice 8
Bellingham will get the headlines but this was a performance of tournament poise from the Arsenal midfielder. When Serbia started to threaten he did most to quell the threat.
Jude Bellingham 9
Want a reason to believe in England this time? Bellingham is probably it. Headed goal was sensational but he was everywhere, playing in pockets where Serbia couldn’t cope with him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold 6
Playing him in the midfield is Southgate doing what was asked and taking the hand brake off. I’m yet to be convinced he doesn’t give the ball away too easily to be the answer throughout the tournament.
Bukayo Saka 7
Poor Strahinja Pavlović endured a torrid first half as Saka delivered a display of deadly direct running. But when Serbia got a handle on him in the second period England’s threat evaporated.
Phil Foden 5
Just didn’t happen for him, did it? His tendency to drift in from the left wing – probably natural given where he’s been excelling at club level – made England look unbalanced.
Harry Kane 5
A quiet night for the England captain, who spent long periods looking dreadfully isolated. But burst into life when Jarrod Bowen supplied a juicy cross with a header that Predrag Rajkovic saved superbly.
Substitutes:
Connor Gallagher 6
Brought on to arrest Serbia’s momentum in an admission that the Alexander-Arnold experiment didn’t quite work. Did that job fairly well.
Jarrod Bowen 7
A lot to like about his energetic cameo. Direct going forward and weighed in with some important defensive moments as well. His cross for Kane was a peach.
Kobbie Mainoo 6
Late replacement for match-winner Bellingham. Not enough time to make an impact.
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