Some defeats make you proud, and some victories you should not take for granted because of the many flaws you demonstrated along the road.That’s the lesson for both Serbia and England after their exciting EURO 2024 clash on Sunday night, which ended in a somewhat undeserved Three Lions 1-0 victory.Gareth Southgate’s boys celebrated a triumph thanks to Jude Bellingham’s early winner, but they should worry about their title quest after such a pale performance.Apart from the decisive goal mentioned, the favourites created just two more promising opportunities for the entire 90 minutes. Against a tactically limited side like Serbia, this didn’t cost them too much, but it definitely will in the knockout stage when faced with teams like Spain, France, the Netherlands, etc.It was as one-sided as it gets in the opening 15 minutes of the game, with the Serbs showing what seemed to be too much respect for the renowned rival. The Three Lions exploited that, netting from their first clear-cut chance through Bellingham.Walker found Saka perfectly on the right wing, with the Arsenal forward putting it on a plate for unmarked Bellingham around the penalty spot for a brilliant header, and 1-0.##NAJAVA_MECA_8161492##However, instead of maybe that expected perfect English storm, the underdogs bounced back. The Eagles lacked those goal-scoring chances, though, but they were quite decent, managing to put Kane and Foden out of any action for the vast part of the tie.Straight after the break, Vlahovic passed it to Mladenovic on the edge of the six-yard box, and all he needed was an inch or two to level the score, just like Mitrovic when Mladenovic made a carbon copy of that Vlahovic’s previous move.England were literally with their backs to the wall as the game was reaching the end. Birmancevic fired a tricky volley only to be denied by no one else but Kane near the touchline, and Pickford saved Vlahovic’s shot that could have gone straight under the crossbar.We expected to hear mighty lions’ roar, but instead all we witnessed was a shy display that will be forgotten almost instantly.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGEFridayGermany – Scotland 5-1 (3-0)/Wirtz 10, Musiala 19, Havertz 45+1, Fullkrug 68, Can 90+3 – Rudiger 87 og/SaturdayHungary – Switzerland 1-3 (0-2)/Varga 66 – Duah 12, Aebischer 45, Embolo 90+3/Spain – Croatia 3-0 (3-0)/Morata 29, Ruiz 32, Carvajal 45+2/Italy – Albania 2-1 (2-1)/Bastoni 11, Barella 16 – Bajrami 1/Sunday Poland – Netherlands 1-2 (1-1)/Buksa 16 – Gakpo 29, Weghorst 83/Slovenia – Denmark 1-1 (0-1)/Janza 77 – Eriksen 17/Serbia – England (0-1)/Bellingham 12/
