Bellingham scores, England defeats Serbia

(Dan Tri) - Bellingham's only goal helped England win 1-0 against Serbia in the early morning of June 17, in the first match of Group C at Euro 2024.

England and Serbia played a fierce match at MPH Arena, but the quality of the match was not as expected by fans as both sides did not create many scoring opportunities. Post-match statistics showed that Serbia only had 4 shots in the entire match, only 1 on target and the expected goals index was only 0.2. England had 7 shots, 3 on target, the expected goals index was 0.54. This is clearly not an index that reflects an attractive, exciting and dedicated match. However, England still achieved the goal of winning thanks to Bellingham's only goal. With 3 points, England rose to the top of Group C after the first round of matches, followed by Denmark (1 point), Slovenia (1 point), and Serbia fell to the bottom of the table.

Bellingham scored the only goal for England against Serbia (Photo: Getty).

The English team proactively raised their attacking formation after the opening whistle, coach Southgate's team had a better position than their opponents thanks to a solid and energetic midfield. After a few unclear scoring opportunities, England took the lead in the 13th minute. Saka crossed the ball and hit the opponent's defender's foot from the right, Bellingham rushed in and headed the ball strongly from about 5 meters away, sending the ball into the net, leaving goalkeeper Rajkovic helpless. After scoring, England proactively slowed down the match, playing slowly in their own half to proactively organize their defense, so they no longer attacked as strongly as in the first stage. That made the "Three Lions" almost have no scoring opportunities in the remaining minutes of the first half. Serbia also tried to raise their attacking formation after conceding a goal, but they could not pressure England. Serbia's most notable chance in the first half came in the 20th minute, when England players passed the ball incorrectly in their own half, creating an opportunity for Mitrovic to finish from outside the penalty area, the ball narrowly missing the right post.

Mitrovic passes Bellingham (Photo: Getty).

After only having 2 shots on target in the first half, Serbia still could not "transform" in the second half even though their opponents continued to control the ball in their own half to ensure their defense. Although England prioritized defense, they still performed better than Serbia on the offensive front, although not often. In the 77th minute, Bowen crossed the ball from the right wing for Kane to head from less than 5 meters away, the ball went into the middle of the goal and goalkeeper Rajkovic pushed the ball against the crossbar and bounced out. During the first 30 minutes of the second half, Stojkovic's team could not finish. Serbia still only had 2 shots in the second half and the only situation they forced Pickford to show his talent came in the 82nd minute, Vlahovic shot hard from outside the penalty area, forcing the England goalkeeper to jump and push the ball over the bar. The ensuing corner kick saw Birmancevic volley in from outside the area but the England defender assisted the goalkeeper by heading the ball away. That was all Serbia could muster against England in the second half. After a few moments of resistance, Serbia returned to a lacklustre display and they paid the price for that lacklustre performance by going home empty-handed.

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-thao/bellingham-lap-cong-tuyen-anh-danh-bai-serbia-20240617050112117.htm