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

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, the English team took the lead in the 13th minute. Saka crossed the ball and hit the opponent's defender's leg from the right, Bellingham rushed in and headed the ball strongly from about 5m away, sending the ball into the net, leaving goalkeeper Rajkovic helpless. After scoring, the English team 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 the English team. Serbia's most notable chance of the first half came in the 20th minute, when England players misplaced a pass in their own half, giving Mitrovic a chance to shoot from outside the penalty area, the ball narrowly missing the right post.

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 5m 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 from outside the box but the England defender assisted the goalkeeper by heading the ball clear. 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 empty-handed in their first match.

Dantri.com.vn

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