Jude Bellingham applauds England fans as he prepares for their Euro 2024 opener against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen
Credit: Michael Regan /UEFA via Getty Images
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16 June 2024 • 6:55pm
6:53PM
Denmark and Slovenia ends all square
In a 1-1 draw. Looked like a decent match but it obviously means that a victory tonight for either side will send them to the top of Group C.
6:49PM
Serbia are here too, natch
6:48PM
A first sight of the England players
England take to the field after arriving at Arena AufSchalke
Credit: Lars Baron/Getty Images
6:39PM
Meanwhile in Middlesex
Atmosphere building already here inside Wembley Box Park with England fans out in full voice. Songs of ‘please don’t take me home, I just don’t wanna go to work’ seem fitting on a Sunday night in June. Not a lot of attention being paid to Denmark vs Slovenia, aside from a lovely reception for Christian Eriksen’s goal, truly one of football’s most miraculous stories. England team to be released soon with a confident win fully expected by this jubilant audience which includes striker Jermaine Defoe in its midst.
6:35PM
Style guide
6:20PM
From the match programme
Gareth Southgate has spoken to the official Euro 2024 official tournament programme.
“We’ve been one kick away from being champions, so we know it’s possible. That’s such a psychological breakthrough. But we’ve got one more step to take.”
6:16PM
Our very own double act move outdoors
6:10PM
Last dance
England will need to closely adhere to the instruction of the Italian referee Daniele Orsato tonight. Orsato, who is retiring after this tournament, is a strict enforcer of the rules and it is worth remembering only the captain is meant to speak to the referee at this tournament. Orsato handed out 10 yellow cards in a Champions League match between Manchester United and PSG back in 2019, also sending off Paul Pogba, so will not be afraid to dish out cards if required.
Orsato is a stickler
Credit: REUTERS/Juan Medina
5:54PM
Red absence
Gareth Southgate is not expected to have Manchester United players in his starting line-up tonight against Serbia, and it could be the first time in 28 years when no players from the club feature in an England tournament match.
It was back in 1996, when Germany won on penalties at Wembley, that England last played in a major tournament without a single United player on the pitch. Gary Neville was suspended for the Euro semi-final and was replaced in the team by Paul Ince, who was at Inter Milan at the time.
Of course, Kobbie Mainoo could come off the bench and represent United in Gelsenkirchen. Southgate will make a decision on whether Luke Shaw is on the bench after a hamstring injury but he is not expected to feature until later in the tournament.
Only Kobbie Mainoo could keep Manchester United’s streak going
Credit: Eddie Keogh/The FA via Getty Images
United have had England players feature at every tournament game since 1996, through the David Beckham era firstly. Wayne Rooney made his finals debut as an Everton player but Paul Scholes and Neville were playing for the Three Lions.
During Southgate’s eight years in charge, he started with Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard in his 2018 team at the World Cup, with Harry Maguire moving to Old Trafford before the next tournament. Maguire was injured for the opening match of the last Euros, against Croatia, but Marcus Rashford came off the bench to represent United.
5:39PM
If you’re having a wager
The England squad will be focused following defeat to lowly-ranked Iceland, but with fragility at the back and some formidable forces in the opposing line up, it will be no walk-over against Serbia today. If you’re placing a bet on the game first take a look at these latest Euros betting offers for boosted odds.
5:30PM
Preview: Banishing first game blues
Good evening and welcome to live coverage of England’s Euro 2024 Group C opener against Serbia. Much of the build-up has naturally been dominated by the violence of still undetermined origin at time of writing that kicked off in Gelsenkirchen this afternoon. The shame of the game endures and, fuelled by disparate social and political forces, seems ineradicable. At every European Championship since 1980 when England supporters’ attacks on Belgium fans at Stadio Communale sparked a riot, I have either been reading or writing about fighting, vandalism and lairy behaviour at every continental tournament. At least in 2028, we know it will be one thing that we can bank on coming home…
Other than that, how was the play Mrs Lincoln? One thing that Gareth Southgate has managed to do during his often maligned spell as England manager is start tournaments well, beating Tunisia at the 2018 World Cup, Croatia at Euro 2020 and Iran in Qatar.
Before that England had drawn three and lost one of their previous four competition openers and their victory over Croatia at Wembley, won by Raheem Sterling’s goal, was actually the only time they have won their first match at a European Championship finals, having drawn with Belgium in 1980, Denmark in 1992, Switzerland in 1996, France in 2012, Russia in 2016 and suffering defeats by Ireland in 1988, Portugal in 2000 and France in 2004.
Raheem Sterling scores the winner against Croatia at Euro 2020, England’s only victory in a European Championship opening match
Credit: Shaun Botterill/UEFA via Getty Images
Victory tonight against a Serbia side, who qualified second in their group having won four, drawn two and lost two (both against group winners Hungary), would keep that happy streak going if not the critics off his back unless they find the fluency befitting their talent that has eluded them in the warm-ups.
The only dilemma in selection seems to be over the identity of the second deep midfielder should he opt, as seems certain, for his favourite double pivot instead of transitioning to a 4-1-4-1. All the noise – and squad numbers – suggest that Trent Alexander-Arnold will continue there in preference to more natural 6s/8s such as Kobbie Mainoo or Conor Gallagher.
As for Serbia there must be some concern over the form and durability of their two most potent players, Sergej, the elder of the Milinkovic-Savic brothers, and Aleksandr Mitrovic, both of whom have been playing for Al Hilal in the Saudi Premier League this season. Al Hilal did win the title in an Invincible season, Mitrovioc scoring 28 league goals in 28 appearances but they were rarely tested, averaging three goals per game all season and chalking up 9-0, 7-0 and 6-1 victories. They may argue they will be fresh, which could also be true, but I am sure England would rather face this talented but erratic team after its best players have been in the SPL for a year than had they continued to play for Lazio and Fulham respectively.
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