Serbia 0-1 England: player ratings from the Euro 2024 Group C game
Jude Bellingham tries to find a way through Serbia during England’s win in Gelsenkirchen. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian
Serbia (3-5-1-1)
Predrag Rajkovic (GK) No chance with England’s goal. Denied Alexander-Arnold before making a stunning save from Kane. 7
Milos Veljkovic (RCB) England’s left-sided problems meant the defender had a quiet night. Was able to step forward. 6
Nikola Milenkovic (CB) Too deep when England broke through in the 13th minute. Unable to cope with Bellingham’s charge. 6
Strahinja Pavlovic (LCB) Struggled when isolated against Saka at first. Warmed to the challenge after half-time. Decent display. 6
Andrija Zivkovic (RWB) A lively presence who delivered some teasing crosses. England kept a close eye on him. 6
Nemanja Gudelj (CM) Evening summed up when he hurt himself fouling Bellingham. Booked and removed at half-time. 4
Sasa Lukic (CM) Reduced to fouling Bellingham at times. Nowhere to be seen when England went ahead. Substituted. 5
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (CM) Caused problems when he moved into a higher position in the second half. Clever player. 6
Filip Kostic (LWB) Often caught high, leaving Saka free to roam forward. Forced off with an early injury. 5
Dusan Vlahovic (AM) On the periphery for long spells but flashed a dangerous ball across goal. Almost equalised. 6
Aleksandar Mitrovic (CF) The big striker fired Serbia’s best chance wide. Appealed in vain for a penalty. Ineffective. 5
Substitutes: Filip Mladenovic (for Kostic, 43): Worried England with driving runs down the left. 7; Ivan Ilic (for Gudelj, ht): Helped Serbia take control of the game. 7; Dusan Tadic (for Mitrovic, 61): Huge cheer when he came on. Made a difference. 7; Luka Jovic (for Lukic, 61): The striker was thrown on as Serbia chased an equaliser. 6; Veljko Birmancevic (for Zivkovic, 74): 6
England (4-3-3)
Jordan Pickford (GK) Earned England victory with a save from Vlahovic. Stayed focused, kicked well. One nervy punch. 7
Kyle Walker (RB) Breakthrough stemmed from his piercing pass. Missed a chance to make it 2-0. Defended well. 7
John Stones (CB) Looked sharp after recovering from illness and shaking off an ankle injury. Composed as ever. 8
Marc Guéhi (CB) Strong and snappy on his tournament debut. Harry Maguire’s inexperienced replacement made some important blocks. 8
Kieran Trippier (LB) Solid defensively but reluctance to use his left foot hindered England. Required treatment late on. 6
Trent Alexander-Arnold (CM) Pressed well in first half but lucky Mitrovic did not punish a mistake. Lacked control. 6
Declan Rice (CM) Unselfish and positionally aware. Made interceptions and always seemed to be in the right place. 8
Jude Bellingham (CM) Dominated the big stage. Surged in for 1-0 and also worked hard off the ball. 8 MOTM
Bukayo Saka (RW) Zipped down the right to cross for Bellingham’s goal. Dangerous dribbling. But he tired. 7
Harry Kane (CF) Little service. Few touches but almost headed in the second. Wasted time by winning free-kicks. 6
Phil Foden (LW) Drifted inside to link the play but got crowded out. Questions remain over his international form. 5
Substitutes: Conor Gallagher (for Alexander-Arnold, 69): Came on with England’s midfield toiling. 6; Jarrod Bowen (for Saka, 76): Immediately made a chance for Kane. 6; Kobbie Mainoo (for Bellingham, 86): A late replacement as England shut up shop. 6