Jude Bellingham inspired England to the start they wanted at Euro 2024 with the winning goal and a stunning individual performance in the victory over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
Bellingham’s dream season, which brought him a Champions League triumph at the end of his first campaign with Real Madrid, continued as he demonstrated exactly why he is regarded as England’s new superstar.
The 20-year-old powered on to the end of Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross with a magnificent header after 13 minutes, as Gareth Southgate’s side were rewarded for an impressive opening.
England, who started with Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, fell back into old habits after the break as they sat back, their reduced intensity allowing Serbia to apply pressure. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made an important late save from Dusan Vlahovic.
Harry Kane came close to adding a second for England when he saw a header from substitute Jarrod Bowen’s cross superbly touched on to the bar by Serbian keeper Predrag Rajkovic.
England will need to improve, but this was at least a result that will send them into their second Group C game against Denmark on Thursday with a good heart.
The former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund player shows astonishing maturity for one so young, bolstered by a season in which he took Spain by storm – and England are the beneficiaries as they look to end a sequence of falling short at major tournaments.
He showed power and conviction to score that stunning header, while his composure on the ball, even in the tightest situations, was a powerful and potent weapon for Southgate’s team.
Bellingham relishes the freedom the number 10 role gives him, offering him licence to exert influence all over the pitch as the fulcrum of this England side.
He departed late on to a standing ovation from the England fans who have made him their new idol, relishing the sight of him performing his trademark arms-outstretched celebration in front of supporters at one end after his goal before running to the centre circle to whip up England’s followers at the other.
Bellingham was even seen smiling on the big screens as he sat relaxed in the dugout in the closing seconds after another high point in his stunning year.
England and Southgate will now hope for more from their talisman as the Euro 2024 campaign progresses in Germany.
