One of the European Championship's big gold favourites has stepped into the tournament. And got a taste start to the championship.
England defeated Serbia 1–0. Match hero? Jude Bellingham, of course.
Before almost every major football championship, it's talked about that "it's coming home", that England will win the gold.
It never happens.
But the question is whether the Englishmen don't have greater opportunities now in Germany than in many years.
In the last European Championship tournament, it was a painful final loss to Italy after penalties, and since then, national team captain Gareth Southgate's squad has developed further – and got to see Jude Bellingham grow into a world artist.
Last season, the Real Madrid midfielder was one of the brightest stars in the football world, and it was also he who scored the only goal in the premiere against Serbia on Sunday evening.
As early as the 13th minute, he held himself forward and nodded in a Bukayo Saka pass. The full hit was enough for England to snatch all three points, but will an effort like the one against Serbia be enough to take the trophy home to London in a month?
Nah.
England probably has one or two gears to shift into – and they will need to do so.
It was an important win. It's always good for confidence to win the first match in a championship, says England's team captain Harry Kane to TV4.
Next up is Denmark for England, Serbia faces Slovenia.
