No Euro game on record has had as few shots as England’s clash with Serbia.
But one of those 11 shots was enough for Jude Bellingham to capitalize – heading in Bukayo Saka’s cross in the 13th minute. And it was just enough for England.
Whatever it is the anxiety of the second halfa 1-0 victory put England in control of their group, thanks to Slovenia and Denmark’s 1-1 draw in the opening game.
A win and a two-point lead seem more important to Bellingham than any complaints about performance.
England defeats Serbia in Euros
“The first half shows why we can score goals against any team, and the second half shows why we can keep a clean sheet against any team.” Bellingham he said.
“I think obviously, commonly with the team, there is a negative theme around all of our games – sometimes rightly so.
“But I think in this case you take the positive out of the fact that, okay, maybe we had to tough it out sometimes and suffer a little bit, but we didn’t concede.
“And when you don’t concede, all you have to do is score a goal to win the game.”
Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrate after the Real Madrid star’s goal for England. Photo: AP
I was anxious when Serbia regained the initiative in the second half and left England scrambling to protect their slender advantage.
But Gareth Southgate has already won all four of the tournament’s opening matches as England manager, while still hoping to finish the tournament with a win – and a trophy.
This is a new look England – with only half the squad retained from the last tournament and the run to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2022.
Bellingham said: “This team is still very young, coming together every game.
“So I think inside the locker room we will be happy with that, of course.
“There will be negative aspects that we want to eliminate. But overall, I’m satisfied with this performance.”
Fans celebrate England’s first goal in the Euros
For Bellingham individually, this was another moment to shine as he was named man of the match after making an immediate impact on football’s other big stage.
More renditions of “Hey Jude” from Three Lions fans in Gelsenkirchen, affection he tries to return by putting it all into energetic displays.
And Bellingham’s big reveal?
“I listen to the Beatles a lot,” he said. “My style of music is a little old-school. So that’s my thing.”
A wise head in a young body, it’s easy to forget that he’s still just 20 years old – and already a Champions League and winner of La Liga with Real Madrid.
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“I realize that in every game I feel like I can make an impact,” he said after receiving the best player award.
“I feel like I can decide games… and the truth is that I really like playing football. So when I go out there, I play fearlessly because I love doing it.
“And it’s my favorite thing to do in the world. So when I play, it’s not a big job. It’s a pleasure.”
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