Gareth Southgate said Jude Bellingham “write your own script” later Real Madrid The quarterback was fired England won the opening match of Group C first Serbia on Sunday.
Bellingham’s 13th-minute header was enough to give the Three Lions a chance to take the lead won 1-0 in Gelsenkirchen, an impressive first-half performance gave way to a tense second half, as England struggled to finish the match.
However, Bellingham was England’s standout performer – picking up the UEFA Man of the Match award – and Southgate said: “He writes his own script, doesn’t he?
“The timing of his run. It was also a great play in the build up to the goal. I thought at different times all our forward players looked dangerous and did Very good for the team.”
He hit the crossbar in the second half Harry KaneThe Serbian goalkeeper’s 77th minute header sent the ball wide of the post Predrag Rajkovicbut Southgate’s side were unable to maintain their dominance in the first half as Serbia tried to equalize.
“This team is still coming together,” Southgate said. “Everyone expected us to pull through, but there’s a lot of hard work ahead. We’re missing certain things. We’re looking for the best possible solution.
“We’ve had a very complicated encounter with all of this [due to injuries]But the team spirit was there for everyone to see tonight and we’ll definitely grow from there.”
For his part, Bellingham said his formula for success was for others in his life, deflecting attention after pulling England to a crucial tournament-opening win.
“Jude Bellingham is truly made up of great people,” he said. “It’s not just me coming and enjoying football like I do and just playing football, but because I have a great support network. My family, my friends, my teammates. Playing football is the easiest part .”
Next in Group C leading England is the match against DenmarkThe team drew 1-1 with Serbia earlier in the day, and Southgate said the early test could benefit his side come the Euros.
“We suffered a bit, which I think was really good for us,” Southgate said. “The second half we didn’t hold the game as well as I would have liked, but the win was very important.”
