England's blushes were spared on Tuesday evening as a late Harry Kane penalty salvaged a 1-1 Nations League draw against Germany in Munich.
It was a tame performance by Gareth Southgate's side, who rarely threatened Manuel Neuer's goal. The hosts were the better side and thought they'd secured all three points through Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Jonas Hofmann's second-half strike.
Yet Kane's 50th England goal ensured they picked up their first point of the tournament. The Three Lions lost their opening game 1-0 to Hungary on Sunday and remain bottom of their group. Here are the main talking points on a challenging night for England.
England's tough evening
Playing Germany in their own back garden is never easy, yet England would've liked to have made a better start. The hosts found the back of the net twice in the first 30 minutes - with both goals disallowed - while the visitors managed just one shot on target.
England didn't really look on top until the fourth official indicated eight minutes (yes, eight minutes) of injury time at the end of the first half. Bukayo Saka's first effort stung one of Manuel Neuer's giant hands and his second from distance went just wide.
Germany made their mark five minutes into the second half. Hofmann found himself in space inside the box and confidently fired past Jordan Pickford. Worryingly for Southgate, Harry Maguire was out of position and Pickford should've done better with his save.
England responded immediately. Mason Mount fired a decent effort from distance, yet Neuer easily pushed the ball away from danger. They improved when Jack Grealish was introduced in the 72nd minute. The Manchester City ace created a brilliant chance for Kane, but he failed to beat Neuer.
The Three Lions suddenly had momentum and made it count when Kane won a penalty following a VAR review. England's skipper stepped up and found the back of the net. Southgate's side were lucky to leave Munich with a point and need to improve quickly.
Southgate's strong team
What did you make of England's performance against Germany? Let us know in the comments below!
Southgate rotated his squad for the 1-0 defeat to Hungary - with Conor Coady, Jarrod Bowen and James Justin among those selected. Many wondered if the England boss would play another experimental team against Germany. The answer was an emphatic no.
Southgate played arguably his strongest team on Tuesday. Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips were reunited to form their iconic central midfield partnership - although Phillips was forced off with an injury - while Kane, Mount and Raheem Sterling were all selected.
It's unclear if international managers really care about the Nations League, yet Southgate wants his team to believe they can beat the likes of Germany. Tuesday's result will be have an impact on England's confidence, especially if they face Germany at the World Cup.
Phillips' injury woes continue
As briefly mentioned, Phillips lasted just 14 minutes in the Allianz Arena after Nico Schlotterbeck's knee clashed against his thigh. The injury didn't look too bad, although the Leeds midfielder needs to cement his place in the team ahead of the World Cup.
England's reigning Player of the Year only managed 20 Premier League outings this season due to a hamstring injury and needs a solid run of games if he's to convince Southgate he's the man for the job with several players vying for a spot in central midfield.
Rice, Jordan Henderson, Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher and James Ward-Prowse are all battling Phillips for a starting berth. The 26-year-old will be hoping his latest injury is minor and he'll be fit for the upcoming games against Italy and Hungary.
Trippier's route to success
Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Kyle Walker-Peters, Max Aarons... it's a daunting task being an English right-back these days. Yet England aren't as blessed when it comes to left-backs, with Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell not currently fit.
That offers Trippier a path into Southgate's side. The Newcastle star has impressed at left-back for England before and it was more of the same on Tuesday evening. He looked solid against a tough opposition and still offers plenty from set pieces.
With Alexander-Arnold struggling to find a position in the team, the versatile Trippier isn't having the same problem. He might just be England's left-back in Qatar.
The one that got away
Spectators in the Allianz Arena were entertained by a teenager who knows England very well. Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala put in a superb performance for Germany, twisting and turning England's midfield to leave visiting fans wondering what could've been.
The 19-year-old spent eight years in Chelsea's academy and represented England at youth level, earning two U21 caps in 2020. Yet he chose to play for the country of his birth. Musiala is the future of this Germany side and will dazzle crowds in Qatar later this year.
Why are we still talking about the 5-1?
England fans love to hear about their nation's famous 5-1 victory against Germany in 2001, yet a lot has happened during the last 21 years. The Three Lions have now faced the former world champions nine times since that memorable occasion in Munich.
During that time, Germany have knocked England out of the World Cup, England have dumped Germany out of the Euros and both teams have won on enemy soil twice. I appreciate this was the first game in Munich since the 5-1, but it's not the same stadium.
To quote a song from a beloved children's movie, let it go. We don't need to talk about it every time the Three Lions face Germany. Instead, let's acknowledge that England are finally capable of beating one of Europe's finest teams - as proven last summer. Southgate will be hoping Tuesday's display was just a blip on their path to World Cup glory.
