In the goal there was also a shrewd pass from Kyle Walker to release Saka and, deliciously, England had unpicked Serbia’s packed defence. It was five-at-the-back from them and an uncompromising determination to drop deep. They only completed 11 passes in the time before the goal with England’s share of possession touching an astonishing 90 per cent.
England shook off some late challenges. First on Saka, then Phil Foden, then Bellingham and then Bellingham again. The free-kick count totted up and, soon after scoring, Bellingham got a whack in the face from Vlahovic. But he had already inflicted the real damage.
It all seemed too good to be true, almost. A bit too perfect. This is tournament football and Serbia are dangerous and so it changed.
There was food for thought in the Trent Alexander-Arnold experiment. For it is still an experiment to play him in midfield. There is the creativity and passing range. But does he have the awareness? There was a heavy touch as he faced his own goal and quickly it was latched onto with the Serbian captain Aleksandr Mitrovic flashing a shot narrowly wide from 20 yards.
Cue further debate. It could have been costly and although there is risk and reward from playing him in midfield that was an example of the risk.
Bellingham was not having it. He was riled and wanted a bit more sharpness from his team-mates as he took the contest to Serbia. There was even a chest bump against Filip Kostic – who had clattered Foden – just to let him know that he knew.
