England are facing an anxious final quarter as Serbia continue their possession-driven dominance of them, yet Southgate makes a change by swapping Alexander-Arnold out for Conor Gallagher.
Bellingham spins away from Tadic and finds Foden just inside the penalty area. Unfortunately, the Manchester City player can’t control him, and thus, back comes Serbia. In this thrilling encounter of the Serbia national football team vs England national football team timeline, Serbia’s cross is cleared away by Trippier, showcasing England’s defensive resilience.
First half
Serbia enjoyed an excellent start to the second half, dominating possession and pressing high up the pitch. Mitrovic attempted a through ball for Jovic but accidentally knocked over Trippier instead and requested a penalty kick from referee Orsato; play carried on regardless. Foden had his shot blocked by Guehi who dispossessed Sevilla midfielder Guehi with a brilliant sliding tackle before England sent long ball out to Kane on the left; unfortunately his touch caused him to go wide.
Serbia make further advances, but are unable to break through England’s defensive wall. Foden claims he’s been fouled when running into the area and wins a free kick, however his low cross from outside just misses Walker by an inch or two.
Southgate’s gamble in defence pays off as he replaces Rice with Jordan Henderson and sees an excellent touch from Liverpool player put him through on goal – only for it to be deflected wide and the shot deflected wide again. After winning a corner kick which Alexander-Arnold took up and took a shot which was blocked.
The Three Lions have enjoyed most of the possession, yet are struggling to break through the Serbian defence. Bellingham made one attempt at doing just this when he attempted to move past Tadic but instead was judged by referee as having barged over Serbian defender.
Milinkovic-Savic again provides another chance for the visitors when he sends in a pass that Vlahovic just can’t control with his foot.
Bellingham scored England’s opening goal after 13 minutes when he headed in Bukayo Saka’s cross into the far corner of the net for Bukayo Saka to cross. England now leads Slovenia and Denmark 2-0, although they both drew their opening games. Police then responded quickly after reports of chairs being thrown at a Gelsenkirchen bar where fans had been drinking before the match and small groups of them threw bottles and debris onto the floor before throwing chairs as chairs were being thrown back onto them; bottles have since been collected and the riot squad will respond immediately; match continues as expected but with tension present throughout. England needing much better performances in their second halves performances if they want to continue through with progress – this first half display had certainly bode well against Slovenia but then will need a much better second period performance by England!
Second half
England made an uncertain start against Serbia and soon found themselves on the back foot. Bellingham’s goal helped rebalance proceedings and they began dominating once more.
Foden battles hard and wins the ball before working a pass to Bellingham at the edge of the box, who fails to turn in and shoot before his shot goes wide of its mark.
Kobbie Mainoo replaces Bellingham to standing ovations from fans in attendance; Bellingham scored his first international goal since Euro 2006 to score twice during a Euro 2024 match and become England’s first player ever to accomplish such an accomplishment in one tournament match since 2006.
After an extended intermission, players retake their places for National Anthems before the referee blows his whistle and teams prepare for a second half.
Gareth Southgate will look to build on their opening win and keep pace with Serbia, but will need to work hard in order to do so.
Early in the second period, the hosts are on top and secure a corner with their first attack of the period; unfortunately though it was cleared away.
Milinkovic-Savic takes advantage of an aggressive left wing long ball to run into the danger area, but is unable to bring down either striker. Serbian defenders remain well clear.
Another corner is taken, this time from the right, with Vlahovic being left unmarked and trying to take aim from outside the area; however, Pickford was quick off his mark and managed to make an intelligent save to prevent further attacks from Vlahovic.
Nemanja Gudelj is booked for fouling Leicester City midfielder Marcus Bellingham. England are looking to play more freely, making life difficult for Serbian defenders like Gudelj and Foden.
Bellingham spins away from Tadic in an attempt to create space for himself in the penalty area, only for referee Orsato to dismiss his claim and rule against Bellingham for being pulled down during this attempt.
Third quarter
Since half-time, the pattern of play has undergone dramatic transformation. Serbia now dominate possession and are forcing England backwards on defence while creating problems on the break – yet their attacking threat remains limited; only Aleksandar Mitrovic managed to threaten Jordan Pickford’s goal in 20th minute but his shot was deflected wide of post.
Serbia have not scored a single goal despite being dominant, yet continue to cause issues through midfield energy and Dusan Vlahovic, their lethal left-back who can cause havoc for England’s defense.
Vlahovic makes another forward run and attempts to set up Mitrovic with a low cross, but his header hits Pickford directly. Trippier appears to push Mitrovic from behind but no action is taken by the referee.
Southgate replaces Saka with Kobbie Mainoo and moves Foden into central midfield; although at times sloppy with his passing skills, his work rate remains impressive; he even won himself a free kick by keeping hold of the ball within Serbia’s half for too long.
England’s possession is brief; Ilic quickly recovers Foden’s misplaced pass before Milinkovic-Savic finds space on the right wing but his pass to Jovic is blocked by Walker. England have no chance in this match.
Serbia are beginning to apply pressure to England and their defense is starting to appear frayed – Bellingham and Stones look particularly vulnerable.
Foden made an error with his pass, allowing Serbian attacker Ilic to almost beat Kane before his feet got in his way and forced a corner kick for Tottenham midfielder Pochettino instead of scoring directly from it. Following Jordan Henderson’s mistake resulting in another corner kick being given, however his poor ball ricocheted off of its path back safely into safety for Tottenham midfielder Pochettino to win another corner kick from its subsequent flick-on by Ilic.
Fourth quarter
Serbia are pressing hard in the final 15 minutes and win a corner on the right from Zivkovic who sends in a cross into the box that Mitrovic just misses when heading in from Mitrovic’s cross by Zivkovic. England take back their lead when Bellingham picks up on left wing to move into shooting space but drags his effort across face of goal, taking an accidental blow from Orsato that forces him down with pain before being replaced by Kobbie Mainoo to standing ovations from home fans.
England make their move, beginning from the back. Bellingham plays an excellent pass to Trippier who in turn finds Walker. Walker attempts to sneak his way in behind Serbia but his touch is too heavy and thus this opportunity is lost.
As time runs out, England win a free-kick on the edge of their area and Foden delivers a low ball that Saka attempts to head toward goal but Rajkovic blocks his attempt.
As the match enters its final five minutes in Gelsenkirchen, tensions are intensifying rapidly. A series of fouls from Serbia’s side, most notably that by Ilic on Foden, have made life more difficult for England players.
England were in control despite a nervous atmosphere. Southgate made an adjustment, replacing Alexander-Arnold with Conor Gallagher and Bellingham attempted to twist into the box but was shoved down by Ilic, earning a whistle but no penalty award from referee.
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