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
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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 under Gareth Southgate
England have won their opening game in all four of their major tournaments played under Gareth Southgate (Euro 2020 and 2024, World Cup 2018 and 2022) - that is just one less than the number of victories the Three Lions have achieved in opening matches across their other 23 major tournament appearances (W5 D11 L7).
England have also kept a clean sheet in each of their last five group-stage matches at the European Championship finals - the longest such run in the competition’s history.
Kieran Trippier happy to adapt to different roles during England’s Euro 2024 bid
Kieran Trippier has pledged to be the ultimate team player in England’s bid to win the Euros, whether that means playing out of position, offering experience or even starting matches on the sidelines.
The 33-year-old has been part of all four of Gareth Southgate’s major tournament squads and looks set to start Sunday’s Group C opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
But right-back Trippier will line-up on the opposite side as England wait for their sole out-and-out left-back Luke Shaw to return from four months out with a hamstring injury.
Kieran Trippier happy to adapt to different roles during England’s Euro 2024 bid
The Newcastle right-back is set to deputise on the left of the defence as Luke Shaw recovers from injury.
Luka Modric, the problem with ageing, and the worst day for Croatia’s best generation
It only took Luka Modric 18 years. In 2006, the summer before Lamine Yamal was born, he was an unused substitute against Brazil at Berlin’s Olympiastadion. He didn’t quite get on the pitch then – blame manager Zlatko Kranjcar for that one – but a remarkable longevity took him back to Berlin, into historic company. For the Croatia captain, playing in a ninth major tournament meant he joined only Cristiano Ronaldo and Lothar Matthaus among Europeans. A few months before his 39th birthday, he became the oldest ever player at European Championships; though perhaps only for a few days, until Ronaldo and Pepe go past him.
A day of record-breakers, however, became an advertisement for youth, rather than experience. Lamine Yamal, the youngest footballer ever at this level, some 22 years Modric’s junior, delivered a star turn. Croatia lost 3-0 to Spain. It wasn’t quite as dramatic a case of a glorious career ending at the Olympiastadion as Zinedine Zidane’s, later in the 2006 World Cup, but it was a day to prompt questions. Are Croatia, finally, too old? Will time eventually catch up with the timeless Modric, boyish as his physique remains, baggy as the shorts are?
Luka Modric and the problem with ageing
Modric, 38, was replaced after 65 minutes as Croatia were beaten 3-0 by Spain at Euro 2024
Calm and commanding Marc Guehi steps up for England to solve a problem position
As Gareth Southgate did the rounds of the England players at full time on a nervy evening in Gelsenkirchen, he eventually found his way to Marc Guehi. The England manager pulled Guehi towards him and leant into his ear in pride: The performance from his centre back had more than validated Southgate’s faith as England held on to a 1-0 win over Serbia and get their Euro 2024 up and running.
There will be concern that England lost their way and showed unsettling similar signs of some of their previous disappointments at major tournaments under Southgate, allowing Serbia to slowly creep into the game, but Guehi’s display alongside John Stones in defence was a major positive of the evening. Without one of their Southgate stalwarts in Harry Maguire, the Crystal Palace centre back may have solved a problem position.
Calm and commanding Marc Guehi steps up for England to solve a problem position
Serbia 0-1 England: The Crystal Palace defender was handed a start but produced an imposing display on the biggest night of his life
Kylian Mbappe follows Lionel Messi in Paris Olympics decision after Real Madrid move
Kylian Mbappe confirmed on Sunday he will not play for France’s Olympic team at Paris 2024 as his new club Real Madrid are against the idea.
The 25-year-old said in March that he was keen on playing at his home Games but since the Olympic soccer tournament is not on Fifa’s calendar clubs are not obliged to release their players.
Mbappe was not included in a 25-man preliminary squad for the Olympics earlier this month, though head coach Thierry Henry left the door open.
Kylian Mbappe follows Lionel Messi in Paris Olympics decision after Real Madrid move
Mbappe has ruled out featuring for the hosts at Paris 2024 after his summer switch to the Spanish capital
Kylian Mbappe urges youth to vote against ‘extremes’ in French elections
France captain Kylian Mbappe urged “the youth to make a difference” in the country’s upcoming election and in the face of “extremes knocking on the door of power” as Les Bleus’ Euro 2024 opener against Austria came amid a tumultuous political moment back home.
Mbappe addressed the French people during a pre-match press conference following Emmanuel Macron’s shock announcement to call a snap parliamentary election. Macron suffered heavy defeats by Marine Le Pen’s far-right National Rally (NR) party in last week’s European Union vote.
Kylian Mbappe urges youth to vote against ‘extremes’ in French elections
Emmanuel Macron called a snap election after heavy defeats to the far-right National Rally in last week’s European Union vote, with Marine Le Pen’s party leading opinion polls ahead of the vote
24 touches and one shot: Harry Kane’s quiet night for England - and why it may not be a bad thing
By half-time in Gelsenkirchen, Harry Kane was doing his best Erling Haaland impression. Not in terms of goalscoring feats, but by standing on the periphery, waiting for his moment. If Haaland has cracked the code to produce the displays of the most ruthless efficiency since arriving in the Premier League, averaging a goal a game while barely having a touch for dominant Manchester City, England, it seems, have a similar plan for their captain.
Except when Kane comes away from England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia having touched the ball just 24 times, including just twice in the first half, the logic of isolating the tournament’s leading striker can come into question. Kane was largely anonymous against Serbia as Gareth Southgate’s side held on to claim a narrow and nervy 1-0 win, having the fewest touches and passes (nine from 12 attempts) in England’s starting line-up. That, however, does not necessarily mean it is a bad thing.
24 touches and one shot: Harry Kane’s quiet night for England
While Jude Bellingham ran the show against Serbia, the England captain appeared to contribute little. Except, in a more subtle way, he did
Encouraging Alan Hansen health update as Graeme Souness shares ‘fabulous’ phone call
Former Liverpool captain Graeme Souness has provided an encouraging update on the health of ex-team mate Alan Hansen.
A statement from Hansen’s former club last week said that the 69-year-old was seriously ill and had been admitted to hospital.
The defender made over 600 appearances for the Reds between 1977 and 1990 and also won 26 Scotland caps before going on to a successful broadcasting career, becoming Match of the Day’s most recognisable pundit after spending more than 20 years as a regular on the programme.
Encouraging Alan Hansen health update as Souness shares ‘fabulous’ chat
Sounnes has offered positive news on his former Liverpool team mate
Romania vs Ukraine LIVE
It’s almost time for the first Euro 2024 match of the day as the Group E commences with Romania taking on Ukraine. Team news for this one has just dropped and kick off is right around the corner.
You can follow the live updates right here:
Romania vs Ukraine LIVE: Euro 2024 team news and updates in Group E match
A competitive group gets underway with Belgium facing Slovakia later on Monday
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