CLASSIFICAÇÕES DOS JOGADORES DA INGLATERRA: Jude Bellingham estava EM TODA PARTE… mas quem era ‘mais mau do que bom’? E quais passes de grandes estrelas não foram “nem penetrantes nem memoráveis”? – HO

A Inglaterra teve um início sólido na campanha da Euro 2024, depois que o gol de Jude Bellingham no primeiro tempo viu a equipe de  Gareth Southgate selar a vitória por 1 a 0 sobre a Sérvia, na noite de domingo.

Recém-chegado à final da Liga dos Campeões com o Real Madrid , Bellingham cabeceou com força para dar a liderança à Inglaterra logo aos 13 minutos.

Mas não foi uma vitória fácil para a Inglaterra, com Jordan Pickford  a fazer uma defesa fantástica para negar à Sérvia o empate tardio, enquanto a equipa de Dragan Stojkovic avançava para o jogo para fazer perguntas aos Três Leões no final.

Apesar do ressurgimento tardio da Sérvia, a Inglaterra resistiu e assumiu o comando do Grupo C após o empate 1-1 da Dinamarca com a Eslovénia no início da noite de domingo.

Craig Hope, do Mail Sport, apresenta as avaliações dos jogadores da Inglaterra na vitória por 1 a 0 sobre a Sérvia.

Jude Bellingham (centro) deu um início perfeito à campanha da Inglaterra na Euro 2024 no domingo

A estrela do Real Madrid marcou de cabeça e deu ao seu time uma vantagem inicial contra a Sérvia

A equipa de Gareth Southgate lidera o Grupo C depois de selar a vitória por 1-0 em Gelsenkirchen

INGLATERRA (4-2-3-1)

Jordânia Pickford 7

Ele foi um espectador no primeiro tempo, mas fez uma grande jogada na boca do gol logo após o intervalo, descendo corajosamente entre os corpos para fazer um cruzamento. Seu chute foi certeiro e, embora o placar limpo não tenha sido o mais difícil que ele conseguiu, foi um desempenho seguro com uma defesa superior no final.

Kyle Walker 7

Ele foi uma verdadeira ameaça do ponto de vista ofensivo, principalmente no primeiro tempo. Foi o seu belo passe atrás do lateral que libertou Saka para cruzar para o golo decisivo e ele não precisou de incentivo para avançar pela lateral direita. Mais tranquilo depois do intervalo.

Pedras de João 6.5

A nervy first touch inside 60 seconds that would have led to a scoring opportunity for Serbia, had he not recovered to correct his error. He saw lots of the ball and did not seem to waste it once, but was outdone for pace during one second-half scare for England.

Marc Guehi 6.5

He was a lot more assured than in some recent internationals, but there will be far greater tests than this. There was also a poor touch that could have caused trouble for England when he over-ran the ball in midfield, and he was outdone in another duel. But, on the whole, this was better from the centre-back.

Jordan Pickford (centre) produced a sensational save to deny Serbia late on during the game

Kyle Walker (left) orchestrated the move for England’s opening goal and was a real threat in the first half

John Stones (centre) saw lots of the ball and didn’t seem to waste it but was outdone for pace

Marc Guehi (right) had a better performance tonight for England, but he will come up against greater tests than this

Kieran Trippier (left) was solid in defence claiming a couple of several crucial aerial wins

Kieran Trippier 7

Exactly what you’d expect – solid if unspectacular, and that’s all he had to be. There were a couple of good aerial wins and one crucial interception in the penalty area as Serbia pressed for parity early in the second half. Luke Shaw is no cert to return if and when he is fit.

Declan Rice 7

His team needed him early in the second half as Serbia grew in confidence and boy did he step up during that period, winning tackles, making interceptions and even threading passes forward to alleviate a spell of pressure. His importance to the team is evident. The partnership with Alexander-Arnold did not work, however.

Trent Alexander-Arnold 5

Some good, some bad. More so of the latter, unfortunately. His mistake almost led to a Serbia goal in the first half and his passing surrendered possession on a couple of occasions. There were a couple of lovely balls to spring the likes of Saka clear, but on the whole this midfield experiment did not work.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (left) produced a mistake that nearly cost England a goal but still produced several lovely passes to free his team-mates

The partnership between declan Rice (front) and Alexander-Arnold did not work tonight

Bellingham (centre) was everywhere during the game and was easily England’s top performer

Bukayo Saka 7

He tortured Serbia down the right in the first half and every time he got the ball he beat his man and delivered. It was his cross, albeit deflected, that created Bellingham’s opener. Unlike Foden, he looked happy in his position and knew exactly how to impact. He faded though and still looks short of his very best.

Jude Bellingham 8

You could tell he was in the mood inside two minutes when producing an outrageous touch to beat an opponent. He was everywhere, doing the job of a No 10, No 8 and No 6. His goal, a diving header, was all about timing and bravery. He was England’s best by a distance, even if he did fade second half. Man of the match.

Phil Foden 4.5

An ineffective first half in which there were still 27 passes, but none of them penetrative or memorable. He existed on the periphery and did not beat his full-back once. Even his passing became sloppy. A shadow of the player who won Premier League Player of the Year.

Harry Kane 5.5

The captain had just two touches in the first half and was anonymous. Twice the ball travelled through the six-yard area and you’d expect him to be there. Bellingham was more effective stepping into his domain, but he was unlucky when heading against the bar and also produced a big goalmouth block at other end.

It was Bukayo Saka (right) who delivered the cross, albeit deflected, that led to England’s goal

Phil Foden (pictured) struggled to have an effect on the game and failed to beat his opposing full back

England captain, Harry Kane (pictured) also underwhelmed having just two touches in the first half

Substitutes

Conor Gallagher (on for Alexander-Arnold, 69) 6

He was brought on to help bring solidity to a midfield that was losing control and he was more disciplined than the man he replaced. Southgate could now look to start with Gallagher.

Jarrod Bowen (on for Saka, 76) 6.5

He impacted immediately when beating his man and standing up a cross for Kane to attack, the captain’s header hitting the crossbar. He was lively and looked a good option from the bench in terms of the energy he injected.

Kobbie Mainoo (on for Bellingham, 86) N/A

Manager – Gareth Southgate 6

The team he sent out certainly did what he asked and they bossed the first half, playing with confidence and control, even if clear-cut chances were too few. But England lost that control and the manager responded by bringing on Gallagher, which helped. But still we leave with questions.

Referee – Daniele Orsato 6.5

It took the Italian 38 minutes to produce a card for a foul on Bellingham, and there had been ample opportunity to do so earlier. Nonetheless, there were no errors from the officials and, as the game went on, Orsato got to grips with the Serbians. A decent enough evening.

Southgate could start Conor Gallagher (centre), after he provided more solidity in midfield

Jarrod Bowen (left) came on in the 76th minute and instantly provided an injection of pace

A equipe de Southgate (direita) comandou o primeiro tempo jogando com confiança e controle, mas teve dificuldade para criar chances claras

Sérvia (3-5-1-1)

Rajkovic 5,5; Veljkovic 6, Milenkovic 6, Pavlovic 5; Zivkovic 5,5, Milinkovic-Savic 7, Gudelj 5 (Illic 45, 5), Lukic 5 (Jovic 61, 5), Kostic 4 (Mladenovic 6 43, 5); Vlahovic 4,5, Mitrovic 4 (Tadic 61, 6,5)

Técnico: Dragan Stojkovic 5