X reacts as England start strong in Euro 2024 opener before limping to 1-0 win

England had to wait until day three of Euro 2024 to get their campaign underway, opening with a narrow 1-0 win over Serbia in Group C.

“A win is a win. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” were the words of Rio Ferdinand in the BBC’s Berlin studio after the final whistle. As he spoke, he was sat next to Cesc Fabregas, part of a Spain squad that began their victorious 2010 World Cup campaign with a defeat.

Jude Bellingham’s early goal was the difference in the end, but England’s positive start eventually evaporated and the game finished with plenty of questions, despite the win and three points.

England were typically well supported in Gelsenkirchen by fans from all over the country making the relatively short hop across to Germany.

It took just 13 minutes for Southgate’s team to take the lead and, of course, it was only ever going to be one man…

Jude Bellingham scored 23 goals for Real Madrid this past season, winning both La Liga and the Champions League. What’s one more on the summer’s international stage?

But it wasn’t just throwing his head at the ball to score the opener. He was running things.

Some lofty comparisons already.

The new man in the fray was Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, getting his chance as a starter because of Harry Maguire’s injury absence. He certainly made sure he took it.