It was a night when everything went right for England.
A morale-boosting win, Gareth Southgate’s changes worked perfectly and now we can start thinking about Senegal in the last 16 next Sunday.
Marcus Rashford scored twice, played a part in another and even wrote his name into the history books as his second was England’s 100th goal at a World Cup finals.
And England also brought an end to an era for this Wales team as Gareth Bale was substituted at half time after being unable to summon one last piece of magic.
It must have felt sweet for the England fans who sang: “You’re going home in the morning” as payback for what happened at Euro 2016 when the Wales players were filmed celebrating England’s demise to Iceland.
Yes, Wales had passion and they belted out the national anthem in stirring fashion in the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium but their days are gone. England, meanwhile, have a quality and strength in depth which could yet take them a long way in this tournament.
They face Senegal for the first time on Sunday and, if they can produce the sort of football they showed in the second half against Wales, then they should fancy their chances.
Southgate also deserves major credit because his decision to start with Rashford and Phil Foden came off and, as the clock ticked down, England even had the luxury of being able to take some of their big guns off for an early bath. It was that easy in the end.
The public clamour for Foden has been huge and he repaid Southgate’s faith but it was also the England manager’s decision to put Foden on the left and swap Rashford to the right at half time which was a tactical masterstroke. That reaped rich rewards.
From the boos after the bore draw with the United States, the England fans were singing “Southgate you’re the one” again by the end.
Make no mistake, it was a struggle in the first half because Wales were resolute in defence, hard to break down and England struggled to create big chances. Kane slipped Rashford through for an early chance but Wales keeper Darren Ward was out like lightning to make a brave block.
Wales offered absolutely nothing going forward. This feels like the end game for this generation of Welsh players and, while it’s been a fun and colourful ride, they have been one of the worst teams at this World Cup.
Wales were forced into a concussion change as Neco Williams - who bravely blocked Rashford’s fierce shot by heading the ball - was replaced by Connor Roberts at left back.
But England then found top gear after half time as Wales just surrendered. And you did feel when they got one goal then others would follow.
And that is exactly how it panned out. It was Foden who tricked and teased his way past about three players, Roberts then fouled him and gifted England a free kick in a very inviting position just outside the box.
Rashford stepped up and then curled a brilliant free kick into the top corner and way beyond Ward’s reach. The England fans were banked behind that goal and went wild.
They did not have to wait long for another either. A minute later, Rashford closed down Ben Davies on England’s right, Kane then whipped over a low cross and there was Foden racing in at the back post to fire home.
This was easy street now because Wales were so poor. Their only effort of note came when Ethan Ampadu’s shot was deflected off Harry Maguire and England keeper Jordan Pickford made his only save of note of the whole game.
England then got a third after 68 minutes. Rashford burst into the box, cut inside and went past Roberts before hammering a low shot which flew through Ward’s legs.
They could have had more by the end. But could not find a finishing touch. The England fans were still happy enough as they were singing Jingle Bells at the final whistle as, bizarrely, their next World Cup match on Sunday will be in December.
