Jude Bellingham scored the only goal of the game as England defeated Serbia 1-0 in their Euro 2024 Group C clash in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday night.
The Three Lions are considered one of the favourites for the tournament having narrowly come close to winning their first-ever title at Wembley three years ago but lost to Italy on penalties in the final.
Bellingham gave the most notable moment in the game when he connected with the cross of Bayo Saka, who is of Nigerian heritage, and sent a header in past Serbia goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic in the 13th minute.
The 20-year-old became the first England player plying his trade outside of the country to score at the FIFA World Cup and Euros.
1 – Jude Bellingham is the first player to score for the England men’s team at both the World Cup and European Championship while playing his club football outside of England. Law. pic.twitter.com/HEC1QlTVob
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2024
Bellingham also became the first player to feature at three international tournaments (Euro 2020, 2022 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2024) before turning 21.
20 – Jude Bellingham is the first European player to make an appearance at three major international tournaments before turning 21 (aged 20 years, 353 days today), having played at EURO 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup and now EURO 2024. Obscure. #SRBENG pic.twitter.com/eh4Ve48whI
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 16, 2024
Serbia tried to mount serious pressure on England in a bid to find the equaliser, especially in the second half and towards the end of the match. Gareth Southgate’s men however stood firm for all three points.
England are now top of Group C, two points clear of Denmark and Slovenia who played out a 1-1 draw in Stuttgart earlier in the day.
