EURO2024
Kane on Bellingham: “He is incredible”
Jude Bellingham was the match winner for England against Serbia with his goal. Photo
© Bernd Thissen/dpa
After winning the Champions League with Real Madrid, Bellingham has only been in England’s European Championship camp for a week. In the first game, he was the match winner.
“The boys are sitting happy in the dressing room. For me it is something very special to score a goal for England,” said the match winner after England’s 1-0 opening victory against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen.
His header after a beautiful move down the strong right flank with Kyle Walker and Bukayo Saka, who provided the assist, was enough for his team to secure their first victory at the European Championships. Bellingham pounced on the ball head first and scored the important winning goal for the 2021 European runners-up.
Southgate would have liked a second goal
“I feel like I can decide games,” said the 20-year-old, who just won the Champions League with Real Madrid. “He’s just an incredible player,” said captain Harry Kane, praising his young teammate.
Coach Gareth Southgate was not surprised that things were still tight at the end despite the narrow lead. “We were in control of the game in the first half and should have scored a second goal,” said the coach. “But we knew that Serbia defends with a 5-4-1 system, so you have to be patient,” said Southgate.
In addition, his team is still in the phase of coming together. “We know that the team still has to find its feet. You can’t expect us to just march through. We have to keep working hard,” said the coach, who was also satisfied with Trend Alexander-Arnold’s performance as a defensive midfielder – he normally plays as a right-back. “He did a really good job,” said Southgate.