England secure opening Euro 2024 win with nervy victory over Serbia | BreakingNews.ie

England have got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a winning start, defeating Serbia 1-0 in their Group C meeting in Gelsenkirchen.

Gareth Southgate’s men started in dominant fashion and the Euro 2020 runners-up were duly rewarded with an opening goal inside 13 minutes.

Kyle Walker’s perfectly-weighted pass picked out Bukayo Saka’s run in behind and the Arsenal man crossed for Jude Bellingham to head home and make it 1-0.

Mitrovic fired wide as he looked to capitalise on a miscontrol from Alexander-Arnold before Walker’s cross evaded everyone in the Serbia box with England looking to add to their lead.

Serbia managed to get more of a foothold on proceedings as the first half wore on but Bellingham’s goal proved to be the difference as England went in 1-0 ahead at the break.

With Serbia arguably on top, Southgate abandoned the Alexander-Arnold experiment for the evening with a little over 20 minutes remaining as Gallagher was brought on in his place.

England were hanging on at the death as Serbia pushed them deeper and deeper in search of an equaliser that never came as Southgate’s side held firm to secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory.