England, reigning vice-champion, confirmed its place in the club of favorites for the Euro with a controlled entry against Serbia (1-0), Sunday in Gelsenkirchen, under the baton of Jude Bellingham, head of brilliant orchestra at only 20 years old.
The “Three Lions” generally mastered their start, despite some heat in the second half, thanks to the talent and solid nerve of their golden collective, already well oiled, and reassured after a preparation which had given rise to some uncertainties. Here they are at the same level as the other big names, whether Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, all emerging victorious in their opening matches, while waiting for that of the Blues on Monday against Austria .
England’s Sunday reached perfection, or almost, since the main rival for first place in Group C, Denmark, was unexpectedly caught earlier by Slovenia (1-1). A new victory in four days against the Scandinavians in Frankfurt would give them a path to the round of 16 before the third match, a scenario that would delight Gareth Southgate.
Jude Bellingham decisive
The coach arrived in Germany with the pressure of an entire country on his back, in search of a first title in the European Championship, and a first title in short since 1966 and the World Cup at home. The start of the competition lightens the atmosphere a little after a mixed preparation, ending with a 1-0 defeat and a few whistles against Iceland at Wembley.
In Gelsenkirchen, the boss of the Three Lions was able to start his typical team, and in particular his diamond Jude Bellingham, lightning scorer (13th, 1-0), two weeks after his title in the Champions League. The Real Madrid phenomenon, positioned as an offensive leader, delighted the many English supporters with valuable defensive returns, changes of play in laser mode and an exquisite touch of the ball like Zinédine Zidane, whose legendary N.5 he wears on Real Madrid.
Above all, he came from five meters to place a powerful header in front of a defender on a cross from Bukayo Saka, and his fourth goal in thirty selections allowed his team not to wait for long.
A second half less controlled by the English
Serbia chased the ball for a long time. The proof: he even had to wait almost six minutes after kick-off to make a first pass. But she raised her head in the second half, less controlled by the English, which will inevitably give ideas and hope to their future opponents.
It remains to be seen how Southgate and his defense will respond when the tremors become stronger. Because the offensive threat proposed by the “Eagles” of Dragan Stojkovic did not fly very high on Sunday. The England coach had lined up the expected rearguard, with John Stones and Marc Guéhi in the middle, Kyle Walker in his preferred position on the right and Kieran Trippier, shifted to the left.
One of the most closely watched choices was in midfield and he chose Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s all-rounder, to pair with Declan Rice. “TAA” stood out with interceptions and well-felt passes, but he also lost a dangerous ball (20th) and was replaced by his understudy Conor Gallagher in the second half. Another entrant, Jarrod Bowen stood out from the start with a nice cross for the head of captain Harry Kane, pushed back onto the bar by goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic (77th).
Failing to pile up goals, England did not concede any and that is already a great achievement, since they had conceded at least one in five of their seven previous meetings. Jordan Pickford (82nd) and Kane (83rd) kept watch.