Final result: Serbia-England 0-1
SERBIA
Rajkovic 6.5 – Preferred to Milinkovic-Savic, of whom he does not have the same precision in long throws. Blameless on the goal, he avoids the second.
Veljkovic 6 – He tries to move in sync with his line mates, he doesn’t cause disasters. Kane jumps on his head, but hits the crossbar.
Milenkovic 6 – The final in Athens lost as man of the match is an open wound to heal, overall he manages to limit Kane.
Pavlovic 5 – In obvious difficulty with Saka, who he cannot keep up with. And in fact in the first half he gets crushed. Then he settles down again.
Zivkovic 5 – Nothing can be conceded to England’s attacking quartet, let alone if they fall asleep: dominated by Bellingham. From 74′ Birmancevic 6 – Enterprising, he presents himself with personality.
Gudelj 5 – The conservative choice to give substance does not pay. He lacks rhythm, he collects fouls. He remains in the locker room because he has been warned. From 46′ Ilic 6 – Upgrade in terms of quality, its entry makes the maneuver more fluid.
Lukic 6 – We lost track of him after his move to the Premier League, now he seems to have found himself. Clear ideas, he leads with his head held high. From 61′ Jovic 5.5 – On Tadic’s illuminating pass he makes the right move, but fails to connect.
Kostic 5.5 – From Allegri to Stojkovic is a moment, the guidelines to follow are more or less the same. Saka gives him a headache, then he knocks out. From 46′ Mladenovic 6 – More defensive characteristics, but paradoxically the thrust increases.
Milinkovic-Savic 5.5 – The golden pension in Arabia did not affect his vision of the game, which remained intact. He shows it only at times, he doesn’t find the door.
Vlahovic 5.5 – Coexistence with Mitrovic was complicated, to put it mildly. Better when he shares the penalty area with Jovic: he lets Pickford fly, but it’s not enough.
Mitrovic 5.5 – Always lurking: the first ball received makes England tremble. It will also be the only shot on goal. From 61′ Tadic 6 – The excellent exclusion shows up with a spell to send Jovic through on goal.
Dragan Stojkovic 5.5 – He starts with the double center forward, depriving himself of Tadic’s imagination to trigger them. The changes were correct: a less fearful team returned from the locker rooms. Despite the greater aggressiveness, he comes away empty-handed, but he can still compete for qualification.
ENGLAND
Pickford 6.5 – The man who solved a problem unsolved for generations must make only one real save against a defeated Serbia.
Walker 6 – Quiet evening for those like him who also muzzled Mbappé, he looks forward but doesn’t finish in the best way.
Stones 6 – More blocked than the club, he holds his position to give stability to the department. With the exception of a dangerous twist, he succeeds in his intent.
Guehi 6 – The chosen one to replace Maguire, he lacks some experience in high-level matches but not physicality and a sense of anticipation.
Trippier 6 – Now permanently transplanted to the left wing, due to Shaw’s long convalescence. He fit into the role perfectly.
Alexander-Arnold 6 – The choice that divides commentators across the Channel improves his phrasing but also loses a few too many balls. From 68′ Gallagher 6 – It invigorates the midfoot, increasing its weight.
Rice 6.5 – Alexander-Arnold as a central midfielder is still in the beta phase, but he is the unshakeable certainty: the ball is always in the bank.
Saka 6.5 – Caught by Chiellini in the Wembley final three years ago, he updates his profile photo with the delightful assist for Bellingham. From 76′ Bowen 6 – Immediately a great ball for Kane.
Bellingham 7 – Always high expectations, proportional to the immense talent. He does not betray them: he initiates and closes the decisive action. Shining. From 86′ Mainoo sv
Foden 5.5 – With City he plays lighter, the Three Lions shirt weighs significantly more: it doesn’t have the same brazenness. Shy, often out of the game.
Kane 6 – Attacking playmaker, serial bomber accustomed to scoring avalanches of goals. This time the crossbar denies him, but on the other hand he saves one on the line.
Gareth Southgate 6 – The last call, this German European Championship is the last chance to leave a tangible sign of his long interregnum as coach of the Three Lions. The good thing about this debut is above all the result. While waiting for France, of the favorites so far it is the one that has convinced the least.