Jude Bellingham inspired England to the start they wanted at Euro 2024 with the winning goal and a stunning individual performance in the victory over Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
Bellingham's dream season – which brought him a Champions League triumph at the end of his first campaign with Real Madrid – continued as he demonstrated exactly why he is regarded as England's new superstar.
The 20-year-old powered on to the end of Bukayo Saka's deflected cross with a magnificent header after 13 minutes as Gareth Southgate's side were rewarded for an impressive opening.
England, who started with Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield, fell back into old habits after the break as they sat back, their reduced intensity allowing Serbia to apply pressure. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made an important late save from Dusan Vlahovic.
Harry Kane came close to adding a second for England when he saw a header from substitute Jarrod Bowen's cross superbly touched on to the bar by Serbia keeper Predrag Rajkovic.
England will need to improve, but this was at least a result that will send them into their second Group C game against Denmark on Thursday in good heart.
