FINAL
Arena AufSchalke
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13'
BellinghamJude Bellingham
D. Orsatowhistle
Arena AufSchalke
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Full-time: Serbia 0-1 England

England see out the win and it's only their second in the opening game of a Euros. Jude Bellingham's goal was enough to separate the two teams, and the Real Madrid talisman was the difference all over the pitch. Serbia will be gutted to have missed out on a point, but they'll be confident they can do better against Slovenia and Denmark.
Full-time
90'
+ 4

Serbia running out of time

England are doing well to frustrate Serbia now, winning free kicks and running down the clock.
89'

Milinković-Savić tries his luck

A long spell of Serbia possession ends with Sergej Milinković-Savić blasting one just over from range.
88'

All Serbia now...

If anyone's going to score, it looks like it will be an equaliser...
86'

That's is for Bellingham

The goalscorer makes way for Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo who makes his competitive debut for England.
85'

Bellingham all over the place

Bellingham is leading the duels by miles. It's a hell of a shift from the former BVB star.
Duels won
13
23
Nikola Milenković Jude Bellingham
83'

Yellow card

82'

Big save!

Serbia's first shot of the game is an excellent one from Vlahovic, but Pickford is equal to it and tips it over the bar.
79'

Trippier down

That's bad news for England. Kieran Trippier looks distressed as he requires treatment. The Newcastle full back is playing out of position on the left, with England's only natural left back, Luke Shaw, out of action since February.
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What a save!

Jarrod Bowen is just off the bench and sends perfect cross onto the head of Kane. He connects, but Predrag Rajkovic makes a glorious save from point-blank range, sending his shot onto the bar.
75'

Yellow card

74'

Serbia going for it

Sparta Prague's free-scoring attacking midfielder Veljko Birmančević is on for Serbia as Stojković's team look for an equaliser.
72'

Few chances to choose from

By Euro 2024 standards, this game hasn't seen much in the way of chances. Serbia haven't had a shot on goal yet, but many of their crosses into the box have been very dangerous.
Goal attempts
2off target
0on target
2off target
2on target
68'

England pressure

England have their first corner of the match, and although it comes to nothing they recycle the ball and apply the pressure. It ends up with Bellingham working a cross that can't find a finish.
65'

Almost for Jovic!

Tadic brilliantly creates a chance through on goal for former Eintracht Frankfurt man Jovic but his touch just runs over the ball.
61'

Key change

Serbia's all-time top scorer Mitrovic makes way for their appearance holder Tadic. The Al Hilal striker doesn't look happy, but he hasn't had his best game.
59'

Chaos in the England box!

Mladenovic fashions another chance on England's left hand side and his ball into the six yard box causes a mix up. Pickford finally smothers the ball but that's another warning for England.
56'

Alexander-Arnold tries his luck

The Liverpool defender unleashes a shot but it's straight down the middle of the goal. England recirculate possession and find Bellingham in the box but he can't get a shot away.
56'

Milenkovic in control of Kane

Fiorentina's star defender won't allow the Bayern striker to have a kick of the ball.
53'

Great work from Serbia

It's another ball flashed across the box for Serbia with no one on the end of it. The first chance of the half if a great one.
51'

Cagey start

The ball has barely got out of the middle third to start the half. Serbia are increasing in confidence, though.
46'

Back underway!

Serbia restart things in Gelsenkirchen, looking to play the second 45 the way they ended the first.
Kick-off!
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Half-time: Serbia 0-1 England

Despite England's utterly dominant opening, Serbia ended the half on top and we could be set for a very interesting second 45 minutes. So far Jude Bellingham has been the difference in attack and defence, but England can't just rely on him.
45'
+ 3

Substitution

Half-time
45'
+ 2

That was the chance!

Sasa Lukic sends a brilliant ball in the box but his strikers can't meet it. Stones botches the clearance for a corner but it's well cleared by Bellingham.
45'
+ 1

Serbia finishing in control

Serbia are swinging the possession stats back to end the half but they're yet to create a chance.
Passes
240
318
43'

Kostic off

That's Kostic's night over. The Juventus wingback looks emotional as he heads off to be replaced by Mladenovic.
40'

Kostic down

Filip Kostić is down and that's a problem for Serbia. The former Eintracht Frankfurt man is key on the left side.
39'

Yellow card

38'

Bellingham all over the place

Bellingham's bossing the show. Just when Serbia think they have a chance, the Madrid star pickpockets Vlahovic and puts paid to it.
Duels won
5
12
Aleksandar Mitrović Jude Bellingham
37'

Foden in the wrong place again

Saka creates another chance but Foden can't get clear of his marker to convert the pull back.
35'

Serbia relaxing into the game

Serbia have recovered from their early set back and are trying to turn a spell of possession into a chance.
30'

Into the wall

It's Alexander-Arnold again but his shot is blocked by the wall.
29'

Saka causing all sorts of trouble

Serbia are doubling up on the Arsenal man who wins another free kick.
27'

It's getting feisty!

Kane leaves plenty on Nikola Milenkovic and England are giving as good as they get here.
25'

Should be two!

Alexander-Arnold finds Kyle Walker and the rapid Manchester City defender beats his man and flashes the ball across the six-yard box. Kane and Phil Foden didn't sniff out a chance and couldn't tap the ball in.
24'

Handbags!

Kostic and Bellingham have to be separated as things get a bit edgy. The Real Madrid star has been targeted with some tough tackles.
22'

They should have!

Alexander-Arnold finds Declan Rice and he isn't expecting the ball to make it to him. It bounces off his shoulder and out of play.
21'

Another free kick for England...

Can they make something of this one?
20'

Close!

That's all it needs, England get confused at the back and Mitrovic is on the ball like a flash, just sending it wide of Pickford's post.
19'

Alexander-Arnold with a chance

England have an odd man on the right and it's Alexander-Arnold who drags his shot wide.
16'

England in full control

So far the Three Lions have barely let go of the ball.
Passes
26
174
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Who else but him?

Saka's cross is deflected and on-rushes Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham to thump in a commanding opener.
13'
Jude Bellingham
11'

Free kick the other way...

It comes to nothing as Stones is punished for taking Mitrovic down in the box.
10'

Free kick England

England have another free kick in a promising position as Bellingham is hauled down.
6'

Serbia probe

Serbia try to create a chance but Kostic's cross is over Vlahovic's head.
5'

Nearly!

Bellingham finds Foden with a clever pass through on goal but he can't gather the ball.
4'

An opportunity?

England get their first chance to create an opportunity from a free kick but Alexander-Arnold can't find a teammate.
1'

We're underway!

England kick us off as the tournament favourites look to start with a victory.
Kick-off!
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More on those teams

England manager Gareth Southgate has gone all-out attack for their opener, naming Alexander-Arnold in midfield and three very forward-thinking midfielders in Foden, Bellingham and Saka behind Kane. Serbia, meanwhile, have their typical five-man midfield behind star strikers Mitrovic and Vlahovic.

Serbia starting XI

Rajkovic - Pavlovic, Milenkovic, Veljkovic - Zivkovic, Gudelj, Lukic, Milinkovic-Savic, Kostic - Vlahovic, Mitrovic.

Serbia subs

Petrovic, Milinkovic-Savic, Stojic, Maksimovic, Jovic, Tadic, Babic, Mijailovic, Ilic, Ratkov, Samardzic, Gacinovic, Spajic, Mladenovic, Birmancevic.

England's starting XI

Pickford - Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier - Rice, Alexander-Arnold - Bellingham, Saka, Foden - Kane.

England subs

Ramsdale, Henderson, Dunk, Konsa, Shaw, Gomez, Wharton, Mainoo, Gallagher, Bowen, Palmer, Gordon, Toney, Watkins.
3:55
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Kane in the spotlight

We put the England and Bayern Munich superstar under the tactical microscope. Watch and learn.
4:02
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The Veltins-Arena experience

Take a tour of today's big-game venue in Gelsenkirchen where Serbia and England will be hoping to get their tournament off to a winning start.
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Back in Germany

Once the star man at Borussia Dortmund, the 2022/23 Bundesliga Player of the Season Jude Bellingham will also very likely be in action at the Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen later.
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Bundesliga who's who

Bayern Munich's Harry Kane and Miloš Veljković of Werder Bremen will be representing the Bundesliga in today's Group C encounter. England's Kane was the Bundesliga's top scorer with 36 goals in his debut season in the division while defender Veljković netted twice in 23 appearances for Die Grün-Weißen in 2023/24.

Tale of the tape

Historically, this fixture is a tight one. Of the 15 previous meetings, England have won six to Serbia's four with the sides playing out five draws. The Three Lions also edge the aggregate goal count by 25 - 21.

Welcome!

Follow all of the live action as Serbia line-up against England in Gelsenkirchen!