Opta Match Centre provides all the relevant statistics ahead of England’s clash against Serbia.
Gareth Southgate’s side possess possession but struggle to turn it into goals against an organised Serbia defence at Arena AufSchalke in Kempten.
Foden attempts to step away from his man and into space but is unsuccessful. England work it well down the right flank and Alexander-Arnold wins a corner kick. Serbia National Football Team vs England National Football Team Stats could provide further insights into their performance metrics in this game.
England
Jude Bellingham’s 13th-minute header secured England a 1-0 win against Serbia to begin their Euro 2024 campaign in style. While England controlled possession for most of the first half, Gareth Southgate’s side began to fade in the second as Serbia gained momentum and looked dangerous on the counter-attack.
Saka tries to hit Bellingham with an ambitious crossfield pass, which is quickly cleared away by England defenders. They break again, with Walker trying to hit Saka with a low cross from the right that gets blocked before England break again with Walker trying to find Saka with another low cross from right that gets blocked as well.
Serbia advance forwards and Zivkovic attempts to force his way into the box but is blocked off by Three Lions defenders. Bellingham thinks he has won a foul against Mitrovic while spinning away, but referee Orsato waves play on.
After halftime, England win a free-kick in the right channel which Alexander-Arnold takes and directs behind for a corner kick.
At 76 minutes, England make their first change, replacing Saka with Palmer from Arsenal. He brings creativity and ball-winning ability from central midfield, but unfortunately cannot help stop Serbia’s counter-attacks.
Serbia
Serbia’s national football team was created following the disintegration of Yugoslavia, and since 2006 has participated in three major tournaments – two World Cups (2010 & 2014) as well as Euros & Olympics tournaments – and failing to make knockout stage of any competition since.
England have an impressive track record against Serbia, remaining undefeated in four meetings so far. But Serbia will prove an exceptionally formidable opponent with their solid backline and intimidating strikers such as Mitrovic.
Although England conceded an early goal, they still have hope of staying competitive; Walker and Rice look dangerous in attack while their hosts remain dangerous on the counterattack with quick forwards and tricky movement.
Bellingham made history when his perfectly timed run into the box enabled him to hook home a deflected cross from Bukayo Saka and put England ahead after 13 minutes, becoming the first English player ever to score at either World or European Championship while representing another nation.
As the half progresses, Serbia make more inroads into England’s territory and possession, but their attackers struggle to get into good positions. Milinkovic-Savic attempts a through ball to Vlahovic, but Rice intercepts it before reaching Vlahovic and cutting out.
Serbia had an excellent chance to level the scores just after half-time but Mitrovic’s strike went just wide of Pickford’s left post. Play resumed two minutes of added time where England won a free kick on the right-hand channel that Alexander-Arnold took. Alexander-Arnold then delivered it directly towards Kane who is unmarked near goal.
Team Lineups
Opta estimates England as being favoured to beat Serbia in their Group C opener, with odds estimated at 61.3% by Opta. Serbia should not be intimidated by England and hope to cause them issues at both ends of the pitch.
Massimiliano Irrati of Italy will serve as referee, with assistance provided by fellow countrymen Paolo Valeri and Catalin Popa from both teams. Irrati has overseen 96 international matches so far without ever sending off one player from either team, making him one of the longest serving referees ever seen at this level of play.
Start of second half has been nerve-wracking for England as they attempt to regain possession. Finally they broke through thanks to Bellingham’s fantastic header.
Southgate made a switch, opting for Jarrod Bowen to replace Saka. And almost immediately he made an impactful statement; moving towards the right-hand byline before whipping in an low cross which Rajkovic managed to claw away.
As we approach the final 15 minutes, Serbia sees more of the ball in England’s area. Milinkovic-Savic attempts a first-time through pass for Vlahovic’s run but Rice swiftly clears.
Now it is a tense final few minutes, with England once more failing to build any sort of momentum. Still they keep pushing forwards and eventually force a corner kick that Bellingham heads in at the back post; his second effort looks as if it had found the back of the net until Rajkovic saves brilliantly with an excellent save that pushes it onto the crossbar instead. Serbia goalkeeper Rajkovic had had ample chances to put away this game for good but failed to do so, leaving England victorious but ultimately victorious; final score: 1-0 England (FT).
Key Stats
Gareth Southgate and England will face Serbia for the inaugural time since becoming an independent nation at Euro 2024 Group C’s opening match, taking on their newly independent national side for their inaugural appearance at a tournament since becoming independent back in 2003. They hadn’t met up previously but did encounter previous versions of Serbia when both teams still were part of Yugoslavia – although none of this time around.
England have made an impressive start to their match, controlling possession and creating numerous chances in the early stages. After 13 minutes they finally find an opening when Jude Bellingham bursts into the six-yard box to convert a deflected Bukayo Saka cross.
Soon thereafter, Ross Barkley and Harry Kane collaborated well down the right wing before Barkley crossed for Manchester United team-mate Harry Kane to make an effective low-range finish from close range. Finally, England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced an exceptional save to deny Luka Jovic any late chances from home side.
England makes a change by replacing Ramsdale with Kobbie Mainoo. England then force some corner kicks before clearing their penalty area before clearing again before finally the final whistle blew and they secured victory at Gelsenkirchen.
English performances were composed, and they will require more of the same in order to advance to the next round of this tournament. Guehi and Rice stood out while Trent Alexander-Arnold also played his part. Vlahovic and Mitrovic need to be dealt with more effectively by England’s back four while their finishing must also improve as good opportunities continue to go begging.
Final Score
England have taken an illegitimate lead following Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross, giving the Three Lions 55% possession.
Southgate makes a switch at centre-back with Luke Shaw replacing Ramsdale and starts the second half sloppily.
Bellingham beats Ilic to the ball and attempts to work it into Foden’s box but is unable to control it himself. Additionally, he wins a free-kick on the right but his cross is cleared before it can reach Foden.
Serbia are making inroads into the game as Milinkovic-Savic finds space down the left flank and attempts to create an opportunity from it, only for his cross to be dealt with efficiently by Serbia’s defence. Meanwhile Kostic and Pavlovic combine successfully, but again their efforts go unheeded by an efficient defence.
At the other end, Walker sends it downfield for Saka, who beats off an attempt from Rice but failed to get his head onto it and cross low into the box before crossing low into it again.
Serbs were desperate for an equaliser as Serbia pushed for an equalizer, yet Pickford stood tall to save Vlahovic’s shot on the turn, before Zivkovic tried cutting inside and barged Tadic over, earning himself a yellow card from referee Daniele Orsato.
England have secured their victory with an excellently timed run from Bellingham into the box and his header to put England ahead, sending them into the next round of this tournament unbeaten and four points ahead of Portugal, who play Italy next Monday.
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