A thrilled and, frankly, astonished Wembley crowd did not just see twenty minutes that transformed the national mood going into the World Cup, they saw the future.
They saw Jude Bellingham, they saw Bukayo Saka, they saw Mason Mount.
That short passage of play when Gareth Southgate’s side wriggled wonderfully out of their shackles was not just a cameo that crackled with promise for Qatar 2022, it was a tantalising glimpse into the prospects beyond this winter, beyond Gareth Southgate’s tenure, even, to Euro 2024 and beyond.
They could not get over the line for the win - and Germany deserved equality on the night - but, in a way, that did not matter.
The way they went from two down to take the unlikeliest of leads in this contest was symbolic of the long-term promise in the English game.
And while, at 19, he might be a junior partner in the brigade of young players, leading the way is Bellingham.
He was good in defeat in Milan on Friday, he was magnificent at Wembley.
And in that purple patch after Germany had gone two up, he was the driving force, he was the man.
It is certainly not hard to tell Bellingham has been a senior player from a very young age, the maturity beyond his years is remarkable.
Does Bellingham need to start in Qatar? Have your say in the comments section
During the England comeback, it was almost as though Bellingham took it upon himself to lead from midfield.
He did not score, he did not register an assist but he set the tone of defiance, the mood of resistance.
And Bellingham is some player, a generational talent destined for greatness.
Sees a pass, makes a tackle, can head it and, when he is allowed, will make incisive, defence-threatening runs.
Bellingham is the full package and if Liverpool think they will have a free run at the Borussia Dortmund midfielder’s services next summer, they can obviously think again.
If Bellingham led by example, substitutes Saka and Mount followed in some style.
Saka was outstanding in what is, obviously, his best position on the right and Mount’s finish for the equaliser was the type of instinctive brilliance he is capable of.
Saka is 21 years of age, Mount 23, Bellingham does not leave his teens until next June - and imagine them all in harness with 23-year-old Trent Alexander-Arnold.
That is all you will be able to do as long as Southgate is in charge, it seems.
If Alexander-Arnold cannot make a squad of 23 footballers, it must be one hell of a squad.
Simple as that.
Yet for this blue-chip fixture - and regardless of its Nations League irrelevance to England, this was a blue-chip fixture - Southgate deemed Alexander-Arnold to be of no use to him.
The line used by those who back Southgate’s treatment of Alexander-Arnold is that he prefers defenders who can defend.
So there was irony in Germany’s opening goal coming courtesy of a defender who has forgotten how to defend … yet still the England boss sticks by him.
Southgate shows great loyalty towards Harry Maguire but has never been a great advocate of Alexander-Arnold’s from day one.
Which is a shame.
You never know, Southgate might have a change of heart, might go from conservative to cavalier this winter.
We might see Bellingham, Saka, Mount and Alexander-Arnold - not to mention 22-year-old Phil Foden - all let loose.
If it’s entertainment we want in Qatar, let’s hope so. If it's thrills we want, let’s hope so.
But if the young guns are not let loose, at least the years behind Qatar look wonderfully bright.
