England star gets 3/10 rating as European media slam Euro 2024 opening performance | Football

It took Gareth Southgate’s side just 13 minutes to score their first goal of the Euros, Jude Bellingham rising well to head home Bukayo Saka’s cross and give England a perfect start.

It felt as though the Three Lions may go on to clinch an emphatic and impressive victory at that stage and follow in the footsteps of Spain, Italy and hosts Germany, who all laid down markers in their opening games.

But England flattered to deceive for much of the remainder of the match, with Serbia even threatening to equalise and deny Southgate’s side top spot in Group C.

While that failed to materalise and England went on to make a winning start to the Euros, their performance was widely criticised by European media.

German outlet Bild, meanwhile, said England would need to ‘step up their game’ if they have any hopes of becoming European champions and named Bellingham as the one shining light for the Three Lions.

Spanish papers Marca and Mundo Deportivo echoed that sentiment, saying there was ‘little else’ to shout about from an English perspective barring Bellingham’s impressive display.

They described England’s performance as ‘dull’ and warned Southgate his side would have a ‘tough time’ against stronger opponents.

After beginning their Euros campaign with a nervy win over Serbia, England now turn their attentions to a clash against Denmark on Thursday night and their final group game against Slovenia a week on Tuesday.

Southgate, who is aiming to become the first England manager since Sir Alf Ramsey to lift a major trophy, admitted his side ‘suffered’ against Serbia but was ‘really pleased’ with much of the performance.

‘They are a strong team. We had to suffer a bit which I think is really good for us,’ the Three Lions boss said.

‘I think to defend the box the way we did was really good for us. I was really pleased with a lot of the play. Second half we didn’t keep it as well as I would have liked but to get the win is very important.’

On the performance of Bellingham, who not only scored but also dominated in midfield, Southgate added: ‘He writes his own script. The timing of his runs. It was a super bit of play in the build-up of his play.

‘I think all of our forward players looked really good. I am confident we will score goals. Playing against a back give it is not easy to create chances and we did.

‘I liked the fact we had to suffer without the ball because that is an area we have worked on a lot this week. We were obviously much better than last week at doing that.’

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