Negative England win Premier League title – Jude Bellingham's early goal sinks Serbia – Sport – svenska.yle.fi

England did not produce the attacking brilliance that the heavyweights were expected to produce, but Jude Bellingham's header was enough to secure a 1-0 win over Serbia.

For England, the bookmakers' biggest favourite, victory was the only acceptable outcome as the Three Lions entered the European Championship stage.

Those who guessed an early English lead were answered when the team's biggest star, Jude Bellingham, headed the ball into the net after just over 13 minutes.

Bukayo Saka's cross deflected off a Serbian defender and found its way to the Real Madrid midfielder.

“I got used to going into these situations and it gave me confidence,” says Bellingham. “I felt calm and prepared.”

The rest of the first half was awarded as the quietest in the European group so far. The English kept the ball with the initiative low and high, while the Serbs closed the ball down again.

Bellingham's goal was England's only shot on target, while the Serbs had none.

Serbian attack is unstoppable

In the second half Serbia took the initiative with possession. The English retreated and made it very difficult for the Serbs to create dangerous chances.

Instead, England came very close to making it 2-0. Serbian goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic made perhaps the best save of the European Championship so far when he denied Harry Kane from a header in extra time.

With just over eight minutes remaining, the Serbs had their best chance to level when Dusan Vlahovic crossed from a tight position, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford able to steer the ball over the bar.

Late power Serbia never threatened the English, and the quest for the country's first major title since winning the World Cup in 1966 got off to a planned start.

– Serbia had a strong team. We had to suffer a bit, which I think was very good for us to come through the game and defend our penalty area the way we did under pressure. It was important for the team, England manager Gareth Southgate tells UEFA.

“The first half showed why we can score against anyone, the second half showed why we can keep a clean sheet against anyone,” Bellingham told UEFA.

England face a new challenge on Thursday in Denmark. The two countries met in the semi-finals of the European Championship the last time it happened, with England winning 2-1 after extra time.

Serbia face Slovenia on the same day.