Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (2024)

It wasn't pretty - but England got off to a winning start to Euro 2024 thanks to a 1-0 win over Serbia.

When Jude Bellingham's 13th-minute opener went in, the floodgates were primed to open - but Gareth Southgate's side found it tricky.

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A quieter-than-usual Harry Kane struck the bar late in the game while Jordan Pickford denied Dusan Vlahovic with a stunning finger-tip save late on, but the Three Lions settled for a one-goal victory to move to the top of Group C.

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (1)

Make your own player ratings and take a look at Sky Sports football journalist Sam Blitz's player ratings below...

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England

Jordan Pickford - 7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (2)

Before his stunning save to deny Dusan Vlahovic in the final ten minutes, the only real involvement from England's No 1 was one punch.

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But the manner in which he tipped the late effort over shows the sign of a good goalkeeper - concentration when critical.

The clear plan was to go long towards Kane and Pickford kicked into the right areas. A tenth clean sheet at a major tournament is nothing to be sniffed at as well.

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Kyle Walker - 8

Outstanding at both ends. The Man City captain was important in sweeping up any early counter-attacks as England suffocated Serbia early on. Then provided the key pass at the other end to release Bukayo Saka for Bellingham's goal.

The right-back almost scored a second, which would have calmed England's second-half nerves, but the pace he showed to create the chance proved why he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

John Stones -7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (3)

Any accusations that he was not ready enough for this game were dismissed when he barged Dusan Vlahovic after 20 seconds to stop an early Serbian chance.

The Man City defender did show signs of tiredness, but that is to be expected given his lack of minutes. An awkward clearance at the end of the first half showed that, while Filip Mladenovic started giving him issues down the right in the second period.

But he then produced a key header with minutes left as Serbia put on the pressure late on. After some availability doubts, Stones is back.

Marc Guehi - 8

Phenomenal.

The Crystal Palace defender showed calmness in possession - his first misplaced pass came after the hour mark.

The way he stepped forward to win the ball back in dangerous areas shows he has the presence that Harry Maguire left behind. If he carries on like this, it's a game-changing summer ahead.

Kieran Trippier - 7

Mr Reliable. Trippier was forced to provide width down the left due to Phil Foden cutting inside, but was still at the right place in the England penalty area when required.

Given the left-back has struggled for minutes in recent weeks, this was a solid display should Luke Shaw need more time to recover.

Declan Rice - 9

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (5)

A real faultless display, the reliable balance to all that creativity ahead of him.

The Arsenal midfielder produced double digits in ball recoveries and quite a few of them came in important moments on the edge of his own box.

Rice is growing into a big-game player for country now, not just club. And you can see why Gareth Southgate has put him in his leadership group.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (6)

A livewire. Had plenty of shots from midfield and took up good areas - while his smart interception created the Walker chance in the first half.

He was taken off as England needed more energy in midfield, but the Liverpool player showed he can do the running side of the game as well.

He made that mistake for Aleksandr Mitrovic's first-half chance but it was a small dot on a very encouraging display.

Jude Bellingham - 9

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Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (7)

England's flame. After the first half, you were looking at one of the all-time Three Lions displays at a major tournament.

For the second major tournament in a row, a Bellingham late run and header into the box has got England up and running. While he will take the headlines, this all-round display was impressive.

He recorded the most duels won in the England team and Serbia could only foul him to stop him. His attitude to give some aggression back to his opponents makes him even more box office.

Bukayo Saka - 8

The way he kept taking on his opposite number, you wouldn't think this was his first start in five weeks. He hassled Filip Kostic in one-on-ones so much in the first half that the Serbian wing-back was forced off due to injury, probably caused by exhaustion.

The Arsenal winger is not just England's out ball on the break down the right, but the change in direction this team needs to break down tight defences. His assist for Bellingham's opener proves that.

Harry Kane - 7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (8)

Another intriguing performance. England's captain touched the ball just once in the first half an hour and twice in the whole opening period. His third touch was even intercepted by the referee.

But Kane was given a real test by Serbia's centre-backs, especially in the air. He rose to the challenge in the second period and brought the Three Lions up the pitch brilliantly - then could have got a second only for a stunning save onto the bar.

If he has to be selfless so others, especially Bellingham, can thrive, then so be it.

Phil Foden - 7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (9)

The Premier League Player of the Year was in the game but wasn't really influencing it. Foden didn't take any Serbia defenders on but did get involved defensively.

How the Man City forward influences this team will still remain a mystery for Southgate.

Substitutes

Conor Gallagher - 6

Brought on as England's energy levels dropped and the Three Lions did improve a little after his introduction. But too many lost balls and heavy touches meant Southgate's side couldn't settle. The Chelsea midfielder could still be useful against higher-quality opposition.

Jarrod Bowen - 7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (10)

Many cried "Bowen?!" when he was preferred to Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon as a wide replacement. But then the West Ham winger beat his opposite number and set up Kane brilliantly to strike the bar. Southgate appears to trust him, that's why he travelled.

Kobbie Mainoo (n/a)

Not on long enough for a rating, but being trusted for the final few minutes as Bellingham's replacement is another impressive landmark for the teenager.

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (2024)

FAQs

Who was the man of the match England v Serbia? ›

We asked you to rate the players during England's 1-0 win over Serbia in their Euro 2024 opener. There was no doubt about your man of the match, with goalscorer Jude Bellingham given an average mark of 8.22 out of 10. Team-mate Bukayo Saka was next highest on 7.2.

Where was England v Serbia? ›

England v Serbia: Gareth Southgate tells fans he 'expects everybody to enjoy the football' when asked about match security risk. German police have ramped up security measures for the England v Serbia game in Gelsenkirchen later.

Who scored England vs Serbia? ›

England 1-0 Serbia: Jude Bellingham netted in an impressive first half but Pickford needed to pull off a great save to secure victory.

Where is Serbia, England? ›

England's Euro 2024 campaign kicks off on Sunday 16 June as they take on Serbia in Gelsenkirchen at 8pm BST. Here's how you can follow all the action live from Arena AufSchalke and watch highlights from the match across the BBC.

Who was man of the match England? ›

And this particular shift begins with England's man of the match, Jude Bellingham. First, a little recap. Bellingham has deservedly put England ahead with a 13th-minute header, and with a third of the game played everything is going his way.

What is three lions in England? ›

Once upon a time, on a 12th-century battlefield, English soldiers would carry flags with three gold lions on a red background, to inspire them in battle. The three lions on the England badge grew from the union of the royal families' use of the lion symbol.

How many Serbs live in England? ›

In 2001, the Serbian Embassy estimated that there were 70,000 Serbs in the United Kingdom. A January 2012 estimate claims 80,000. The 2011 UK Census, recorded 8,049 Serbian-born residents in England, 122 in Wales, 188 in Scotland, and 32 in Northern Ireland (a total of 8,391).

Have England ever played Serbia? ›

Serbia were beaten 1-0 by group favourites England in their opener, but there was certainly no shame in the way they hustled and harried their opponents, particularly in the second half.

Did England play well against Serbia? ›

The Crystal Palace defender helped England to a clean sheet against Serbia, putting an end to any doubts that England might be left lacking after the injury to Harry Maguire before the tournament. “It went well – it's always very tough in the first game of any tournament,” Guéhi told BBC Sport after full-time.

Who scored England's goal? ›

Football fans at BOXPARK Wembley react to Harry Kane's goal against Denmark.

Where can I watch Serbia vs England? ›

How to watch Serbia vs England online - TV channels & live streams
BBC OneWatch here
BBC iPlayerWatch here
4 days ago

What is Serbia called now? ›

Serbia, officially the Republic of Serbia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Southeast and Central Europe, located in the Balkans and the Pannonian Plain.

Why is Serbia called Serbia? ›

Country name

etymology: the origin of the name is uncertain, but seems to be related to the name of the West Slavic Sorbs who reside in the Lusatian region in present-day eastern Germany; by tradition, the Serbs migrated from that region to the Balkans in about the 6th century A.D.

What was the old name of Serbia country? ›

In 2003, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was reconstituted and re-named as a State Union of Serbia and Montenegro.

Who was man of the match Argentina vs Croatia? ›

Messi wins 10th FIFA World Cup player of the match award in Argentina vs Croatia semifinal - Sportstar.

Who was in the lineup for England vs Argentina 2002? ›

England: Seaman, Mills, Ferdinand, Campbell, A Cole, Beckham, Butt, Hargreaves, Scholes, Owen, Heskey. Argentina: Cavallero, Pochettino, Samuel, Placente, Zanetti, Simeone, Veron, Sorin, Ortega, Batistuta, Gonzalez.

What to watch England vs Serbia on? ›

England vs Serbia: How to watch

England's opening Euro 2024 clash will take place on Sunday, June 16. Kick-off at the VELTINS-Arena in Gelsenkirchen is set for 8pm. The game will be broadcast live and free-to-air on BBC One. Fans can watch on TV and also on BBC iPlayer online or via mobile and tablet devices.

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