Serbia vs England LIVE RESULT: Jude Bellingham’s solitary strike earns three points but Three Lions far from best
ENGLAND won their opening game of Euro 2024 - but the Three Lions were far from their best against Serbia.
Jude Bellingham powered home a header after just 13 minutes and Gareth Southgate's side were impressive in the first half.
But Serbia were the much better side after the break and England struggled, just about getting over the line after withstanding long periods of pressure.
- Kick-off time: 8pm BST
- Stream/TV: BBC One/iPlayer
Not Didi's Pick
Former Liverpool and Germany midfielder Didi Hamann has singled out Jordan Pickford as a weak link - blasting him with fierce criticism.
Hamann told the : "My worry would be Jordan Pickford.
"He's a good keeper, but I think his temperament lets him down at times.
"In a tournament when you might play seven games, there will be setbacks - you need a keeper who calms his team-mates down.
"I think Pickford does the opposite and this is where I've got my worries and question marks. I don't think England win a big title with Pickford."
Eagle has landed
England are definitely going to win today - if a psychic EAGLE is to be believed.
Honey, an African tawny eagle from Eagle Heights Wildlife Foundation in Kent, has psychic capabalities, according to her trainer.
Alex Leonard said: "Honey is our psychic eagle and she never gets anything wrong.
"She correctly predicts if members of staff are going to head off to pastures new by giving them grief.
"And she knows when members of the crowd don’t like birds by flying low and brushing a wing gently across their head to say ‘Hello’.
"She even predicts the weather and won’t come out if it’s going to rain heavily.
"The team here is doing an accumulator based on Honey’s abilities and tonight she says it’s glory for England."
Honey the psychic eagle has predicted a win for England against SerbiaCredit: Stewart Williams Three key areas for the Three Lions
LOSING their final warm-up match 1-0 at home to an Iceland side who have not even qualified for Euro 2024 is far from ideal for England, writes Lee Scott.
Here are three key areas where England need to dominate if they are to open their campaign with a morale-boosting win:
- England need creativity
- Solve the left-back problem
- Serbia are dangerous in transition
Denmark off and running
Gareth Southgate, the England players and fans will likely be keeping a close eye on the game that is underway now - Slovenia vs Denmark.
Twenty minutes in and Christian Eriksen has just fired the Danes into the lead with a smart finish.
As if you had forgotten, Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest the last time he played at the Euros and nearly died.
Exactly 1,100 days later and Eriksen has completed another step on one of the most remarkable comeback stories ever.
His story will make quite the Netflix documentary one day.
England stars set for big bonus
England players will earn a staggering bonus of £14million if they win Euro 2024.
After suffering defeat on penalties to Italy in the final last time, Gareth Southgate's side will be hoping to go one better in Germany.
And on top of Euro's glory, the Three Lions stars are also in for a nice bonus treat if they are able to bring home the trophy.
That is because if they go on to lift the trophy on July 14, the squad has negotiated a bumper share of the £24million the FA will receive.
England team news
Get your early team news right here!
Bukayo Saka is expected to start today's opener. The Arsenal winger missed the Gunners' last game of the season with a groin injury but is expected to get the nod.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is also expected to start his first game at a major tournament in six years alongside Declan Rice in midfield, getting the nod over Conor Gallagher.
Captain Kane
Harry Kane is still looking to win his first piece of major silverware after disappointment at Bayern Munich this season.
The only shining light of the German giants' season was Kane's goals, with the for Tottenham man scoring 44 goals in 45 games.
"We all want to be remembered to have won a major tournament with England - not just to have had good campaigns - so we know it is something to respect and be proud of, and to keep pushing ourselves," Kane told BBC Sport.
"If we don't win, we're going to be disappointed.
"As much as you can be unlucky and go out on penalties, we really want to win and start winning as a national team because we have been taking steps towards this moment.
"It is going to be tough, we know that, but we're ready for the challenge."
Credit: PA Time to deliver
Southgate knows that now is the time for his talented young side to show the world what England fans know they can do.
He said: "We have already seen how Germany and Spain have played.
"There are some exceptional teams here. We have to be exceptional to progress through the group and our main focus is our first game. It is obvious how important that is.
"I've been in the job eight years. I understand the landscape.
"Everybody who has been in this job has experienced the same thing. I just try to prepare the team in the best manner possible."
No pressure, Gareth.
Credit: Getty Serbia star men
England are shakier than ever in defence and will have Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi making his major tournament debut tonight.
If there's one thing Serbia needs to exploit, it's the Three Lions' back four.
Who better than Aleksandr Mitrovic to ruffle some feathers?
England star men tonight
Serbia should have a lot to fear in England's ranks tonight, but whether they will is the question.
Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden are expected to flank Harry Kane, with Jude Bellingham behind in the 10.
Ghost of Gelsenkirchen
The stage is set for tonight's big game between England and Serbia.
The AufSchalke Arena plays host. But this stadium only bears bad memories.
It was back in 2006 at the World Cup where Wayne Rooney was sent off for a stamp in England's quarter-final against Portugal.
In customary fashion, we went out on penalties.
Hopefully tonight's opening game stays relatively stress-free.
Credit: Getty Hello and welcome to England vs Serbia
Hello and welcome to SunSport's live coverage of Serbia vs England at Euro 2024!
Remember, before I get going - it's the hope that kills you.
We've all been here before, but the expectation for England to finally win their first major tournament since 1966 has never been bigger.
From Gazza's tears to Beckham and Rooney's red cards, countless penalty shootout heartbreaks and dismal performances alike, it might be time to believe again.
Sandwiched in between World Cup semi-final and quarter-final KOs, Gareth Southgate's Three Lions suffered at the hands of Italy in a home final at Euro 2020 three years ago.
In what could be Southgate's final tournament as manager, England will be looking to go all the way with one of the most talented squads at the competition.
They're favourites for a reason, right?
Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane will be looking to do what their predecessors couldn't - and where better place to win it all than in Germany.
It all gets going tonight with a tricky first fixture against Serbia. Clashes with Denmark and Slovenia will follow, but a convincing win tonight will really put the country in Believer Fever.
We've got you covered for the rest of of the evening right here at SunSport, so kick back with a cold one, order yourself a takeaway and wait for the drama to unfold!
