How fitting it was record breaking Harry Kane to lead England into new beginnings.
Kane finally eclipsed Wayne Rooney as England’s record scorer with his 54th goal for his country and did it from the penalty spot to lay the ghosts of his World Cup heartbreak. It helped Gareth Southgate to his 50th win as England boss, it was England’s first win in Italy since 1961 and it felt like the start of something exciting.
Almost inevitably they made life hard for themselves as Luke Shaw was sent off with ten minutes left after two yellow cards in 54 seconds which left England clinging on and far more nervous than they should have been.