Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier has received a message from Jude Bellingham after England started their Euro 2024 campaign with a win.
The Three Lions beat Serbia 1-0 thanks to a first half header from Jude Bellingham, but England had to dig in and do a lot of defending to get all three points.
And they did just that, with Gareth Southgate’s men keeping a clean sheet. The defence will be proud of their efforts, including Kieran Trippier. As expected, he played out of position, being deployed on the left side of defence rather than the right.
The Newcastle United defender played the full 90 minutes in Gelsenkirchen and was solid, despite not really having a conventional winger in front of him. While there was hope that Anthony Gordon would join him down the left, it was actually Phil Foden who was asked to play out there.
That tactical decision did not really work out, and is something for Southgate to consider going into match two against Denmark on Thursday.
Solid start to Euro 2024 for Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier
For Trippier, he will have been delighted to get through the game unscathed.
A lot was said in the buildup about him playing left-back, but it was not an issue. While there were problems with the England performance, Trippier playing at left-back was not one of them.
How long he stays there remains to be seen as Luke Shaw builds up his fitness, but Trippier can certainly be happy with his contribution.
After the game, he took to his official Instagram account to share his verdict on the Three Lions beating Serbia. He reflected on a ‘good performance’, and paid tribute to the match-winner Jude Bellingham.
Trippier wrote on Instagram: “Starting the tournament with 3 points & a clean sheet. Plenty now to build on from here. A good performance from everyone. Congrats @judebellingham on the goal. Electric atmosphere tonight thank you.”
The 33-year-old received a reply from Bellingham, who wrote: “My brother.”
There was also a response from Harry Maguire, who was not included in England’s final 26-man squad due to injury.
The Manchester United centre-back wrote: “Love it pal.”
Trippier right to pay tribute to Jude Bellingham
Trippier is right to single out Bellingham for praise. If it had not been for the Real Madrid midfielder then it could have been a very different start to the Euros for England.
The 20-year-old was outstanding against Serbia, playing with a real sense of responsibility and arrogance to be the main man. He was brilliant in the first half, demanding the ball and imposing himself on a game that sometimes lacked a bit of spark.
Bellingham’s goal was excellent too, crashing home a header in the 13th minute to make an immediate impression at Euro 2024.
England have some supremely talented players in their squad, but Bellingham is a level above. And he holds himself in that regard, playing as if he is the one who has to make things happen.
Bellingham was brilliant on Sunday night, but England were not. However, they got the job done and move on to the next one.
Their next fixture is at 5pm on Thursday against Denmark, who they beat in the semi-final of Euro 2020.
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