Jude Bellingham gives England winning start but Serbia make Southgate sweat
England are up and running. Again. It has been a happy feature of the Gareth Southgate years that his team always win their opening tie at tournaments. It never used to be the case with England but to the list that features Tunisia, Croatia and Iran can be added the name of Serbia.
It was a nervy second half, a stark contrast to the enjoyment and expression of the first period, which had been epitomised by Jude Bellingham. England dropped deep, stirring a few uncomfortable memories and simply trusting their ability to hold an extremely aggressive Serbia at bay. They succeeded.
