Gareth Southgate’s side impressed in the opening 45 minutes, with the brilliant Jude Bellingham heading them in front after just 13 minutes from Bukayo Saka’s deflected cross.
They should have then doubled their lead when Kyle Walker burst into the box midway through that first half but sent his cross-shot wide of the far post and beyond the reach of Phil Foden and Harry Kane.
That failure to capitalise on their dominance led to a nervous end to the half and there was a momentum shift after the interval. Serbia stepped up, England lost their way.
Aleksandar Mitrovic saw a penalty appeal waved away when Kieran Trippier nudged him to the ground at the near post.
Subs Dusan Tadic and Luka Jovic then almost combined as Serbia pressed for a leveller, England dropped deeper and Southgate delayed any changes of his own
England were desperate for the final whistle and hanging on, but when it eventually came they could celebrate a victorious start to this Euros campaign.
The draw between Slovenia and Denmark earlier on Sunday means England are already well-placed to qualify for the knockouts – but they will need to play like they did in the first half rather than the second if they are to go deep in this tournament.
