By England have started their Euro 2024 journey on a positive note, securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Serbia in their opening Group C match. Gareth Southgate’s side, affectionately known as the Red Lions, had to dig deep to come away with the win, but ultimately, Jude Bellingham’s 13th-minute strike proved to be the difference-maker.
The Three Lions’ performance was far from perfect, with plenty of areas for improvement as they look ahead to their second Group C encounter against Denmark on Thursday at 5 pm. However, the three points earned against Serbia have propelled England to the top of their group, putting them in a strong position to qualify for the knockout stages.
Earlier in the day, Denmark and Slovenia played out a draw in their opening match, which means England now hold a two-point advantage over their group rivals. In the Euro 2024 format, the top two teams from each group automatically qualify for the last 16, while the four best third-placed sides also progress to the knockout rounds.
With this victory, England have taken a significant step towards securing their place in the next phase of the competition. Realistically, another point in their remaining group matches should be enough to guarantee qualification, giving Southgate’s men some breathing room as they look to fine-tune their performances.
The standout performer for England was undoubtedly Jude Bellingham, who has carried his scintillating form from Real Madrid into the national team setup. The 20-year-old midfielder, who played a crucial role in helping Real Madrid clinch the Champions League title last season, showcased his immense talent once again, scoring the winner in the 13th minute and running the show in the middle of the park.
Bellingham’s goal was a moment of individual brilliance, as he collected the ball just outside the box, danced past a couple of Serbian defenders, and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner. His composure and skill belied his young age, and it’s clear that he has the potential to become a key figure for England in the years to come.
Despite the positive result, Southgate will be acutely aware that his side will need to raise their game if they are to mount a serious challenge for the Euro 2024 title. The Red Lions looked shaky at times against Serbia, with the defense appearing vulnerable to counter-attacks and the attack lacking a cutting edge in the final third.
As they prepare for their clash with Denmark, England will need to address these issues and find a way to unlock their full potential. The Danish side will pose a different challenge to Serbia, with their well-organized defense and dangerous attacking players likely to test England’s resolve.
However, with the likes of Bellingham, Harry Kane, and Raheem Sterling in their ranks, England have the quality to overcome any obstacle in their path. If they can build on this opening win and continue to grow as a team, there’s no reason why they can’t go all the way and bring football’s greatest prize back to England for the first time since 1966.
The road ahead is long and winding, but England have taken their first step with a hard-fought victory over Serbia. With Bellingham leading the charge and Southgate at the helm, the Red Lions will be hoping to roar their way to Euro 2024 glory.
