England Starts Euro 2024 with win over Serbia

In Gelsenkirchen, Germany, England kicked off their bid for a first major tournament title in 58 years with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Serbia, courtesy of Jude Bellingham’s decisive header. Meanwhile, the Netherlands clinched a late 2-1 win over Poland on Sunday.

Christian Eriksen marked a poignant return to the European Championship, scoring Denmark’s opening goal three years after his cardiac arrest on the pitch, but his team was held to a 1-1 draw by Slovenia.

England, touted as one of the tournament favorites under Gareth Southgate’s guidance, showed flashes of their attacking prowess but also displayed areas needing improvement in their tournament debut.

Bellingham, hailed as one of the world’s emerging talents, shone brightly with a standout performance. “I feel like in every game I can make an impact. I can decide a game,” he remarked confidently after the match.

The 20-year-old midfielder, who became the first European player to feature in three major tournaments before turning 21, sealed England’s victory by nodding in Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross in the 13th minute. Despite Harry Kane’s late efforts, including a header off the bar, England had to weather a tense finale, with Jordan Pickford making crucial saves.

In a match labeled “high risk” by German police, minor fan clashes preceded kickoff, resulting in the arrest of seven Serbian fans.

Meanwhile, the Netherlands relied on super sub Wout Weghorst, who struck just two minutes after coming on, to secure victory against Poland in Group D. Weghorst expressed his elation, calling the moment “a dream scenario” at a final tournament.

As the tournament unfolds, both England and the Netherlands aim to build on their opening wins while navigating the challenges ahead in Euro 2024.

Bellingham 'Writes His Own Script': England Manager — England’s midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group C football match between Serbia and England at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen on June 16, 2024. (Photo: AFP)

“The ultimate goal is to lift that trophy as a team.”

In Hamburg, Dutch supporters flooded the streets, creating a vibrant sea of orange hours before kickoff. Despite Poland’s early lead from Adam Buksa’s header echoing through the Volksparkstadion, Cody Gakpo equalized for the Netherlands with a deflected strike before the half-hour mark in a thrilling contest.

Throughout the match, Gakpo, Memphis Depay, and Denzel Dumfries came close to scoring, but missed opportunities piled up for the Oranje. Ronald Koeman’s side appeared to struggle for ideas until Wout Weghorst clinched a well-deserved winner.

The Netherlands, champions in 1988, aim to improve on their recent Euro performance, having failed to reach the quarter-finals since 2008.

Earlier in Hamburg, police shot and injured a man wielding an axe and a Molotov cocktail, though authorities stated there was no link to the football match.

In Stuttgart, Christian Eriksen, who famously collapsed during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener, marked his return with a goal, putting the Danes ahead against Slovenia.

“This Euro journey feels very different from the last one,” Eriksen remarked. “Thankfully, there have been many games since then, and I feel confident playing again. I’m just happy to be back on the field.”

Following the emotional wave that carried Denmark to the Euro 2020 semi-finals after Eriksen’s incident, they endured disappointment with a group stage exit at the 2022 World Cup. Their Euro 2024 campaign began with a draw as Erik Janza’s deflected effort earned Slovenia a point.

Next, Denmark faces England in a rematch of their Euro 2022 semi-final, while Slovenia prepares to meet Serbia on Thursday.