Sports Mole takes a look at how each player performed during England’s Euro 2024 clash with Serbia.
Jude Bellingham and Marc Guehi were the standout players for England, as the Three Lions opened their Euro 2024 campaign with a 1-0 success over Serbia on Sunday night.
The only goal of the match came in the 13th minute, with Bellingham’s thumping header from a deflected Bukayo Saka cross ending up in the back of the net.
Serbia had their moments and can be pleased with their response to the early setback, but Dragan Stojkovic‘s side did find it difficult to carve out clear opportunities in their Group C opener.
Here, Sports Mole takes a look at how each player performed during the clash.
SERBIA
Goal
Predrag Rajkovic: Did brilliantly to keep out a header from Harry Kane late on and could do nothing with Bellingham’s header. A positive performance from the goalkeeper. (7/10)
Defence
Milos Veljkovic: Kept England quiet down their left, and the 28-year-old managed to complete 67 of his 70 passes during an impressive performance. (7/10)
Nikola Milenkovic: Would have enjoyed his battle with Kane and managed to get the better of the Bayern Munich striker for the majority of the night. (7/10)
Strahinja Pavlovic: Struggled badly against Saka in the first period, with the Englishman breaking into dangerous areas time and time again, but he showed huge improvement after the break. (7/10)
Midfield
Andrija Zivkovic: Featured as the right-sided wing-back for Serbia but was unable to make his mark before being replaced in the second period. (6/10)
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic: Certainly improved as the match developed, and he fired one over the crossbar late on. One of his side’s better performers on the night. (7/10)
Nemanja Gudelj: Picked up a first-half booking for a rash challenge on Bellingham and was replaced at the interval after a difficult opening 45 minutes. (5/10)
Sasa Lukic: Substituted just past the hour after finding it difficult to put a marker down in midfield, with Bellingham winning that battle. (6/10)
Filip Kostic: Found it difficult in the opening half against Saka, with the Arsenal forward such a huge threat. Had to be replaced late in the first half after picking up an injury. (5/10)
Attack
Dusan Vlahovic: Forced England goalkeeper Pickford into a smart save late on, but he did find it difficult to get involved for long stages of the match. (6/10)
Aleksandar Mitrovic: Proved to be a threat, firing wide of the post in the first period, before having a shout for a penalty in the second. Was replaced just past the hour in a slightly surprising move. (6/10)
Substitutes
Filip Mladenovic: Came off the bench in the latter stages of the first half and almost got on the end of a dangerous cross from Vlahovic early in the second period. (6/10)
Ivan Ilic: Entered the field as a half-time substitute, and the 23-year-old brought energy to the Serbian midfield during an improved second-half performance. (7/10)
Dusan Tadic: Would have been very disappointed not to start, and he showed his quality in the second half with some clever passes. Has to be in line to start against Slovenia. (6/10)
Luka Jovic: Could have been the hero in the latter stages when Tadic looked to release him, but the striker could not gather the ball and the chance evaporated. (6/10)
Veljko Birmancevic: Was Serbia’s final substitute of the night, and the 26-year-old showed some nice touches during his cameo against England. (6/10)
ENGLAND
Goal
Jordan Pickford: Standout moment came late on when he denied Vlahovic. Will want more protection from his defenders as the tournament progresses. (7/10)
Defence
Kyle Walker: Burst into the Serbia box in the first period, but there were no takers on his low cross. Had a comfortable night for long spells. (7/10)
John Stones: A solid performance from the Manchester City centre-back. Did not have a chance to showcase his ability on the ball, but he defended well. (7/10)
Marc Guehi: England’s second-best player on the night behind Bellingham. Finished with a pass success rate of 96%, and he also made a number of important interceptions. (8/10)
Kieran Trippier: England need Luke Shaw fit for the latter stages of the tournament, if they get there. Trippier was solid enough, but he is not a left-back. (6/10)
Midfield
Jude Bellingham: Comfortably the best player on the pitch. Headed the only goal of the match in the first half and was excellent until his withdrawal late on. (8/10)
Declan Rice: Did not have the chance to break forward for the majority of the night, but he performed a very important role as the holding midfielder. (7/10)
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Selected in central midfield and put in an encouraging performance. Was caught out in the first period, through, and Mitrovic almost scored from his loose touch. (6/10)
Attack
Bukayo Saka: Unplayable in the first period, with his cross setting up Bellingham, but the forward was quiet in the second half and ultimately replaced in the 76th minute. (7/10)
Harry Kane: Was quiet for long spells before crashing a header against the crossbar late on. Not the opening match that many expected from the Three Lions captain. (6/10)
Phil Foden: Entered the tournament off the back of a wonderful season for Man City, but this was not the Foden from club level. Struggled to get into the contest. (6/10)
Substitutes
Conor Gallagher: Had a strong impact off the bench, with the midfielder’s energy proving to be vital for England as they came under pressure late on. (7/10)
Jarrod Bowen: Set up Kane with a brilliant cross after entering as a substitute, and like Gallagher, certainly had a positive impact off the bench. (7/10)
Kobbie Mainoo: Only given the final exchanges as a replacement for Bellingham, but as expected, the Manchester United midfielder was classy on the ball. (6/10)
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