England got off to a successful start in Euro 2024, emerging as 1-0 winners against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
Gareth Southgate’s team, which included many players in the squad that reached the final of the European Championship three years ago, proved too strong for their Group C opponents. With Slovenia and Denmark drawing their match before the kickoff, England now has an early advantage in the group. Despite the nerves that naturally come with high expectations, Dragan Stojković’s team had several players capable of turning the game in their favor. However, they were no match for the talented superstars of the England team, who put any pre-tournament jitters to rest with a convincing victory.
Serbia’s strengths were often highlighted by many observers, especially due to their height advantage as the tallest team in the competition. This advantage proved beneficial during defensive aerial duels.
Nonetheless, there was a noticeable gap in quality between the two teams, as Stojković’s team struggled to pose a threat to Jordan Pickford’s goal and resorted to physical play. This was evident as England won seven fouls in the first half, marking the highest number of fouls the Three Lions have won in the first half of a European Championship match since facing Switzerland at Euro 2004.
A common belief is that matches are determined in midfield, making a solid and well-rounded center crucial, especially in international tournaments with frequent games in a limited timeframe. Southgate, not known for his tactical prowess, seems to have accidentally discovered a potential winning strategy: a midfield trio consisting of Alexander-Arnold (orchestrator), Rice (energetic midfielder), and Bellingham (creative playmaker). Its first appearance today could possibly set the stage for England’s success in the upcoming summer matches.
England midfield ratings
Jude Bellingham – 8
Jude Bellingham attracted widespread attention with his exceptional debut season at Real Madrid, securing victories in La Liga and the European Cup, and receiving the player of the season award in the former. Prior to tonight’s match, England’s head coach Southgate highlighted that Bellingham, the first European player to feature in three different major international tournaments before turning 21, is among several key players in the team, and should not be burdened with carrying the team.
Jude Bellingham has now scored England's opening goal of the tournament at the 2022 World Cup and and Euro 2024.
He's the first player to score for England at both tournaments while playing his club football outside England. 🦁🦁🦁#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/lN89l7SzvH
— Squawka (@Squawka) June 16, 2024
Bellingham’s performance on the field has truly shown his growth into a player who excels in crucial moments. Dominating the game from the start and constantly pressuring Serbia’s defense, he skillfully set up Saka’s goal with a perfectly timed run into the box. This style of play has endeared him to Real Madrid fans and has been a consistent feature throughout the season. His recent goal also marked a significant achievement, as he became the first player to score for England in both the World Cup and European Championship while playing for a non-English club. Additionally, after a slow start with only two goals in his first 28 appearances for England, he has now scored in consecutive international matches.
“The goalkeeper has no chance – it’s right in the corner. The run was superb, as was the timing of the pass. England have gone straight after the opposition, and being patient with their passing for the first 15 minutes has proved worthwhile,” Alan Shearer noted on BBC commentary.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s position was a topic of extensive discussion prior to this match. Although he was certain to be included in the starting lineup, it was not in his usual right-back role that he has excelled in at Liverpool. Instead, Southgate made the decision to deploy him in central midfield, a position he has previously played on multiple occasions. This choice sparked a conversation among former England internationals, with Wayne Rooney expressing doubts about its wisdom. However, tonight’s performance may have alleviated concerns for the former record-breaking England goalscorer.
During the 2023/24 season, Reds manager Jürgen Klopp effectively utilized Alexander-Arnold in a hybrid position, where he acted as a playmaker while still maintaining his role as a fullback. This is not a new concept, as former defender-turned-pundit Jamie Carragher mentioned back in 2019 that Alexander-Arnold could potentially play a similar role to Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City. Carragher noted that the English international initially began his career as a central midfielder before transitioning into a right-sided defender, where he has excelled under Liverpool’s former German tactician.
It is worth mentioning that Alexander-Arnold did not complete the full 90 minutes, as he was substituted after the hour mark. However, it is noteworthy that only Bellingham made more passes that broke the lines of the opposition’s defense than Alexander-Arnold before he was replaced.
Declan Rice – 7.5
Life was made easier for Alexander-Arnold as he seamlessly integrated into a midfield alongside the talented Bellingham and the hardworking Declan Rice, who delivered an impressive performance. Rice’s skills were highlighted for his contributions at Arsenal in his debut season, showcasing his exceptional positioning, field coverage, and ball distribution that facilitated England’s smooth transitions. His 6’1″ stature proved to be advantageous, utilizing every centimeter of his legs to intercept balls from opponents and execute crucial blocks. Shearer commended Rice for his defensive responsibilities in shielding the back four and winning possession.
Rice, the initial player to secure possession more than 10 times at Euro 2024, contributed significantly to England’s maintenance of another shutout in the European Championship. This achievement marks their fifth consecutive shutout in group-stage matches, setting a new record in the competition’s history.
Him. pic.twitter.com/doPfu9ZoDB
— England (@England) June 16, 2024
Upon reviewing the match in its entirety, a victory remains a victory, despite the lack of enjoyment in the second half from England’s point of view. They managed to secure the win, although there are lingering concerns. The encounter can be best described by the expected goals tally of 0.17 versus 0.54. Moving forward in the competition, Southgate will be looking for a continuation of the positive performance seen in the first 30 minutes.
