ENGLAND BEGIN EURO 2024 WITH 1-0 VICTORY – Jude Bellingham scores for England as they beat Serbia 1-0

England’s rearguard effort in a nervy second half as they held on to beat Serbia 1-0 will hold the team in good stead as they look to go far at Euro 2024, coach Gareth Southgate said.

England, runners-up in the 2020 edition and seeking to finally win a trophy befitting their vast array of attacking talent, started brilliantly and led after 13 minutes through midfielder Jude Bellingham’s superb header.

But they created few chances and allowed Serbia, who were much improved after the break, to play their way back into the Group C game though they rarely threatened an equaliser.

Southgate said England were still a side in transition, without stalwarts like centre-back Harry Maguire, who is injured, and midfielder Jordan Henderson, who was left out of the Euros, and with several inexperienced players in the squad

Man of the match Bellingham took issue with the suggestion that England’s second-half performance showed a need for improvement, saying they would take the positives from the game.