England began their Euro 2024 campaign in a scintillating fashion. Well, for about 13 minutes they did anyway.
After a 1-0 defeat to Iceland during their warm-up for the tournament in Germany, worries had set in about not just the quality of the side but Gareth Southgate's tactics.
The second issue isn't something new, it stems back to the last few tournaments.
However, as the Three Lions defeated Serbia 1-0 in Gelsenkirchen, a sense of anxiety kicked in. For the first quarter of the game, Southgate's side looked like real contenders.
There was delicious fluid movement between the likes of Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden in forward areas.
Saka was more regimented to the right-hand side but Foden drifted inside, as we thought he would and Bellingham, well, Jude was simply everywhere.
It was the Real Madrid star and Champions League winner who scored the game's only goal. Who else? He has been the man of the moment all season long in Spain. He was always going to star this summer.
Bellingham won the official Man of the Match award but as nerves started to set in and Serbia grew into the game, England and some of their players were not at their best during a turgid second half display.
A testing night for Trent and Trippier
With Luke Shaw not match ready the role of playing at left-back fell to Kieran Trippier. The Newcastle defender has done it before, notably in England colours, but despite not having an awful game against the Serbs was restricted.
Often such a fluid mover in the final third on the right flank, he wasn't able to have the same impact on the opposite side. That is hardly a surprise given it's not his natural position but Southgate's team suffered as a result.
Trippier didn't play a single key pass or even attempt one cross last night. That's incredibly disappointing. After all, for the Toon last season he created 2.3 key passes per game and supplied 2.5 accurate crosses a match in the Premier League.
It was also a rather indifferent night for Trent Alexander-Arnold. The experiment of playing him in midfield continues and at times it did spark life into England's performance.
As expected, the Liverpool star's passing was delightful but there were a few lapse moments, specifically in the first half when he gifted possession to Aleksandar Mitrovic on the edge of the box who subsequently fired wide.
Alexander-Arnold failed to offer England much control in the second half either and was dragged off on 69 minutes for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.
That said, those two were not the most disappointing in England colours. That title goes to Foden.
Serbia 0-1 England: Player ratings from Three Lions' Euro 2024 opener
England began their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia.
England: Every European Championship campaign
Football FanCast has taken a look back at England’s past Euro campaigns.
ByJack Salveson HolmesJun 13, 2024
