Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (2025)

It wasn't pretty - but England got off to a winning start to Euro 2024 thanks to a 1-0 win over Serbia.

When Jude Bellingham's 13th-minute opener went in, the floodgates were primed to open - but Gareth Southgate's side found it tricky.

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A quieter-than-usual Harry Kane struck the bar late in the game while Jordan Pickford denied Dusan Vlahovic with a stunning finger-tip save late on, but the Three Lions settled for a one-goal victory to move to the top of Group C.

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (1)

Make your own player ratings and take a look at Sky Sports football journalist Sam Blitz's player ratings below...

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England

Jordan Pickford - 7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (2)

Before his stunning save to deny Dusan Vlahovic in the final ten minutes, the only real involvement from England's No 1 was one punch.

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But the manner in which he tipped the late effort over shows the sign of a good goalkeeper - concentration when critical.

The clear plan was to go long towards Kane and Pickford kicked into the right areas. A tenth clean sheet at a major tournament is nothing to be sniffed at as well.

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Kyle Walker - 8

Outstanding at both ends. The Man City captain was important in sweeping up any early counter-attacks as England suffocated Serbia early on. Then provided the key pass at the other end to release Bukayo Saka for Bellingham's goal.

The right-back almost scored a second, which would have calmed England's second-half nerves, but the pace he showed to create the chance proved why he is one of the first names on the teamsheet.

John Stones -7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (3)

Any accusations that he was not ready enough for this game were dismissed when he barged Dusan Vlahovic after 20 seconds to stop an early Serbian chance.

The Man City defender did show signs of tiredness, but that is to be expected given his lack of minutes. An awkward clearance at the end of the first half showed that, while Filip Mladenovic started giving him issues down the right in the second period.

But he then produced a key header with minutes left as Serbia put on the pressure late on. After some availability doubts, Stones is back.

Marc Guehi - 8

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (4)

Phenomenal.

The Crystal Palace defender showed calmness in possession - his first misplaced pass came after the hour mark.

The way he stepped forward to win the ball back in dangerous areas shows he has the presence that Harry Maguire left behind. If he carries on like this, it's a game-changing summer ahead.

Kieran Trippier - 7

Mr Reliable. Trippier was forced to provide width down the left due to Phil Foden cutting inside, but was still at the right place in the England penalty area when required.

Given the left-back has struggled for minutes in recent weeks, this was a solid display should Luke Shaw need more time to recover.

Declan Rice - 9

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (5)

A real faultless display, the reliable balance to all that creativity ahead of him.

The Arsenal midfielder produced double digits in ball recoveries and quite a few of them came in important moments on the edge of his own box.

Rice is growing into a big-game player for country now, not just club. And you can see why Gareth Southgate has put him in his leadership group.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 8

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (6)

A livewire. Had plenty of shots from midfield and took up good areas - while his smart interception created the Walker chance in the first half.

He was taken off as England needed more energy in midfield, but the Liverpool player showed he can do the running side of the game as well.

He made that mistake for Aleksandr Mitrovic's first-half chance but it was a small dot on a very encouraging display.

Jude Bellingham - 9

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Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (7)

England's flame. After the first half, you were looking at one of the all-time Three Lions displays at a major tournament.

For the second major tournament in a row, a Bellingham late run and header into the box has got England up and running. While he will take the headlines, this all-round display was impressive.

He recorded the most duels won in the England team and Serbia could only foul him to stop him. His attitude to give some aggression back to his opponents makes him even more box office.

Bukayo Saka - 8

The way he kept taking on his opposite number, you wouldn't think this was his first start in five weeks. He hassled Filip Kostic in one-on-ones so much in the first half that the Serbian wing-back was forced off due to injury, probably caused by exhaustion.

The Arsenal winger is not just England's out ball on the break down the right, but the change in direction this team needs to break down tight defences. His assist for Bellingham's opener proves that.

Harry Kane - 7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (8)

Another intriguing performance. England's captain touched the ball just once in the first half an hour and twice in the whole opening period. His third touch was even intercepted by the referee.

But Kane was given a real test by Serbia's centre-backs, especially in the air. He rose to the challenge in the second period and brought the Three Lions up the pitch brilliantly - then could have got a second only for a stunning save onto the bar.

If he has to be selfless so others, especially Bellingham, can thrive, then so be it.

Phil Foden - 7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (9)

The Premier League Player of the Year was in the game but wasn't really influencing it. Foden didn't take any Serbia defenders on but did get involved defensively.

How the Man City forward influences this team will still remain a mystery for Southgate.

Substitutes

Conor Gallagher - 6

Brought on as England's energy levels dropped and the Three Lions did improve a little after his introduction. But too many lost balls and heavy touches meant Southgate's side couldn't settle. The Chelsea midfielder could still be useful against higher-quality opposition.

Jarrod Bowen - 7

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (10)

Many cried "Bowen?!" when he was preferred to Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordon as a wide replacement. But then the West Ham winger beat his opposite number and set up Kane brilliantly to strike the bar. Southgate appears to trust him, that's why he travelled.

Kobbie Mainoo (n/a)

Not on long enough for a rating, but being trusted for the final few minutes as Bellingham's replacement is another impressive landmark for the teenager.

Euro 2024 - Serbia 0-1 England player ratings: Marc Guehi and Declan Rice impress in defence as Three Lions win opener (2025)

FAQs

How many people watched England v Serbia on TV? ›

England's opening match against Serbia was watched by 14.9m at its peak and overnight figures of the Slovenia game estimate a peak of 13.4million viewers. By comparison, England's final group game at Euro 2020 peaked at 14.4m, so our appetite for the Euros is as high as ever – no change there.

Who was the player of the match England v Serbia? ›

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – Jude Bellingham (England)

He was comfortably England's best player, controlling midfield and arriving late in the box to head in the winning goal.

How many people watched the Euro 2024 in England? ›

England's Euro 2024 final defeat by Spain on Sunday was watched across the BBC by a peak of 19.3 million people, with an average audience of 17.9 million. The match, which was also shown on ITV, brought in a peak TV audience of 17.8m on BBC One with a TV audience share of 63%.

How many people watched the England game? ›

“Staggering viewing figures for last night's England game: a peak audience (penalties obvs) of almost 17million on @BBCOne and 8.9m online (@BBCiPlayer and BBC website). A combined total of nearly 26m. And @England won.

How many times did Harry Kane touch the ball against Serbia? ›

Except when Kane comes away from England's Euro 2024 opener against Serbia having touched the ball just 24 times, including just twice in the first half, the logic of isolating the tournament's leading striker can come into question.

Have England ever played Serbia? ›

SERBIA VS ENGLAND HEAD-TO-HEAD

This is the first fixture between the sides since a friendly in Leicester on 3 June 2003, which England won 2-1.

What is the penalty for Serbia? ›

UEFA have confirmed that the Serbian Football Association have been fined €14,500 after their Euro 2024 defeat to England.

What is the most watched TV channel in Serbia? ›

RTS1 is the oldest television station in Serbia, launched on 23 August 1958 as Televizija Beograd. It is available nationally free-to-air and is the most watched television channel in the country beating the other two most popular television networks in Serbia, RTV Pink and Prva.

How many people watched England men's Euro final? ›

Confirmed: The final averaged 22.3 million viewers from its 8pm kick-off to the final whistle. Public service broadcaster (PSB) the BBC saw its coverage peak at 17.83 million viewers on its BBC One linear channel, while it averaged 11.37 million viewers.

Where can I watch England v Serbia in the USA? ›

England game on in the US? Serbia vs. England will air on FOX.

How many TV viewers are there in the UK? ›

How many people watch TV in the UK? On average, 58 million viewers tune into broadcast TV each month, which is around 91% of all people with access to a TV or broadband. In October 2023, 58 million people tuned into broadcast TV, 91% of the total viewing audience.

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