Euro 2024 LIVE: Latest news and reaction after Jude Bellingham gives England win over Serbia

The Three Lions opened their campaign with a 1-0 triumph to move to the top of Group C

Jude Bellingham explains 'wolf' celebration against Serbia

England kicked off their Euro 2024 tournament with a 1-0 victory over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday evening. Jude Bellingham started then finished a flowing move in the 12th minute to head the Three Lions into the lead and they saw out the rest of the game despite constant pressure from their opponents.

That victory moved them to the top of Group following an earlier draw between Denmark and Slovenia with the focus now switching to the match against the Danes on Thursday. A second win there and England will be through to the knockout rounds with one game to spare.

Gareth Southgate was pleased with the result and admitted that his team will benefit from the defensive test Serbia put them through, especially in the second half. He said: “That’s the reality of tournaments, they’re a strong team. We had to suffer a bit, which I think is really good for us, to come through and defend our box the way we did. The pressure was important for the group.”

Follow all the latest reaction and updates from Euro 2024 below:

England vs Serbia reaction LIVE

• England defeated Serbia 1-0 in their Euro 2024 opener
• Jude Bellingham is Gareth Southgate’s cheat code but other issues stifle England
• England need to conserve energy after beating Serbia in Euros opener, says Southgate
• German efficiency? Euro 2024 trains are a shambles - and fans are paying the price
• Harry Kane hails ‘unbelievable’ Jude Bellingham after England edge out Serbia

[17 June 2024 10:30 · Mike Jones]

Kane on winning trophies

Bayern Munich ended a disappointing season without any silverware in what was a difficult opening campaign for the team. Harry Kane excelled from a personal point of view with 44 goals in 45 games for the German side but admits it was tough not to win anything.

“It was a really tough ending to the season,” Kane said. “The season as a whole didn’t go the way I wanted it to or the team wanted it to.

“I think whenever you have a tough loss or go out in a competition like that, for sure, there is a real hunger and desire that burns inside to make sure that the next time you get there or the next big competition, you have a different outcome. That’s the way I always look at it.

“There is always a chance to get better and to improve. Leaving that game away in Madrid, of course it hurt for a while but then you move on, you come away with the boys and your motivation is now onto the next one. There is a real hunger for that.”

[17 June 2024 10:23 · Mike Jones]

Kane on playing for Bayern Munich

Harry Kane believes playing and succeeding at Bayern Munich has given him a new aura as one of the best strikers in the world but hopes to transfer that form onto the international stage.

He said: “I’d say from an outside point of view, I’m probably respected more as one of the top strikers in the world.

“When you’re at a club like Bayern Munich, that comes if you have a great season. Similar to Real Madrid, Barcelona and all the top, top clubs around the world.

“So from that point of view, maybe I have a different kind of aura. But personally, nothing’s really changed in how I prepare, how I go into games, my confidence is still the same as what is was throughout my whole career.”

[17 June 2024 10:16 · Mike Jones]

Southgate on Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield

“Everybody’s more than entitled to opinions, so that’s our world, we have to accept that,” said Gareth Southgate over criticism from Wayne Rooney about playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield.

He added: “Then we have to go and show what we can do. I’m really happy. I spoke to Trent about playing in this role over a year ago. It’s something he’s been really keen to do.

“He’s been really receptive to feedback and every bit of information. We know he can be a really special player. Equally, we know it’s not something he’s been doing for the last five years.

“There is an element of the unknown to it. But I think it’s an opportunity that’s worth grasping because he could be something incredibly special.”

[17 June 2024 10:11 · Mike Jones]

German efficiency? Euro 2024 trains are a shambles - and fans are paying the price

More than three hours had passed since England’s narrow and nervy win over Serbia to start their Euro 2024 campaign, but the scene at the Gelsenkirchen Hauptbahnhof was one of chaos.

The six-mile journey from the Veltins Arena back into the city’s central station should have taken around 20 minutes by tram, yet many of the England supporters who had left at full-time in hope of an early exit remained in Gelsenkirchen, unable to move, as the packed platform waited on a train that was delayed by an over hour and counting. Up and down the platform, football fans shared the same story of disorganisation and frustration.

Welcome to Euro 2024 in Germany, where nothing is on time and the only guarantee is delays.

[17 June 2024 10:03 · Mike Jones]

Is Jordan Pickford England’s key weapon?

With England only having a slender lead in the closing minutes of yesterday’s match against Serbia, Jordan Pickford once again proved his worth between the sticks turning Dusan Vlahovic’s long-ranged effort over the crossbar to keep the Three Lions ahead.

Since making his senior England debut in November 2017, Pickford has been the go-to number one and has rarely put a foot wrong for the national team.

The Everton goalkeeper was rewarded with a fifth consecutive clean sheet in the group stages at the Euros - the longest such run in the competition’s history - and a 10th clean sheet at major tournaments which matches the England record set by Peter Shilton.

If England are to win this tournament, Pickford’s talents between the posts may just be key.

[17 June 2024 09:57 · Mike Jones]

Jude Bellingham on England’s winning start

Here’s what Jude Bellingham thought of England’s win versus “a very tough side”. He said: “Very robust, strong and a big group of lads and it was important that we prepared well.

“The staff got it right. We prepared all week very well. We knew the roles we had to do. We try to keep to our own standards and try to do our own job. It’s important that we got off to a good start. Positive inside the camp and onto the next one.

“I have got used to getting into the box, getting wide and trying to do that. I got into that habit at Madrid and I wanted to carry my form into the Euros. It’s a great start for me personally to get my confidence up and to help the lads get the win is the most important thing.

“Jude Bellingham is made up of amazing people. It’s not just me. It’s because I have such a great support network.”

[17 June 2024 09:51 · Mike Jones]

More reaction from Harry Kane

Harry Kane was first to speak to BBC after yesterday’s match saying: “Serbia pose some good threats and have some good players. They will make it a battle for you and I think we dealt with it really well.

“There was a spell in the second half where we got camped in our box and we found it difficult to get out but overall I think we deserved the result, and it was an important win tonight.

“It’s a tough game. They are a good team and have good players, they have a good structure. We stood up to it well, a clean sheet in every game is important, and it is good to get the three points and [for us] to progress. It’s good that we got the win today.”

[17 June 2024 09:46 · Mike Jones]

England vs Serbia player ratings as Marc Guehi and Jude Bellingham shine in nervy win

England got their Euro 2024 campaign up and running with an opening win win over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.

Jude Bellingham’s powerful header put Gareth Southgate’s side into an early advantage during a first half that they largely controlled, and while a second-half wobble gave their opponents hope, England held firm defensively to secure a valuable three points in Group C.

Midfielder Bellingham was one of England’s best throughout, utilised from a deeper role alongside Declan Rice and Trent Alexander-Arnold as Southgate seeks to maximise the considerable attacking talent in his squad.

But which other players stood out in the win? Here’s how the England players rated in Gelsenkirchen:

[17 June 2024 09:41 · Mike Jones]

Group C standings

Here’s a look at the Group C table after the first round of fixtures.

1. England - 3 points, GD +1

2. Denmark - 1 points, GD 0

3. Slovenia - 1 points, GD 0

4. Serbia - 0 points, GD -1

[17 June 2024 09:38 · Mike Jones]

Cesc Fabregas on Trent Alexander-Arnold

Gareth Southgate started Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield yesterday to play alongside Declan Rice due to his glorious passing range and defensive capabilities.

However, former Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas was unconvinced by the Liverpool right-back’s performance but believes he will improve with time. He told the BBC:

“I thought it was a mixed performance from Trent Alexander-Arnold. There were moments where he was superb but other times he was a bit complacent with the ball.

“He made a mistake that led to a chance for Aleksandar Mitrovic but he reacted and recovered well, showed good personality. The more he plays in the midfield the better he will become.”