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England ensured their safe passage into the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 with a convincing 2-0 win over Germany at Wembley. Backed by their vociferous home crowd, Gareth Southgate's men buried the ghosts of the past to leave Germany in tatters.
While it seemed like the game was heading into extra-time, it was a late flurry from England that settled the high-stakes clash. Raheem Sterling netted his third goal of the tournament in the 75th minute, when he stabbed home from close range.
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Thomas Muller then squandered a gilt-edged chance to restore parity for Germany, who were subsequently punished by Harry Kane in the 80th minute. The England captain produced a diving header off a Jack Grealish cross to put the game to bed as the home crowd broke into a delirium of noise.
Without further delay, let's take a closer look at the best and worst performers from the round of 16 clash at Wembley.
#5 Hit: Jordan Pickford (England)
The England custodian produced two excellent saves when the game was all-square to keep his team in the contest.
First, Pickford raced off his line to block Timo Werner from tucking away an excellent through ball from Kai Havertz.
Later, the 27-year-old also tipped Havertz's thunderous volley over the cross-bar shortly after the interval. It might have been struck straight at him, but Pickford had to react quickly and he did it with aplomb.
It goes without saying that without Pickford's safe hands between the sticks, England might not have had the platform to go and do what they did late on in the game.
Notably, Pickford is the only goalkeeper left in the competition to have not conceded a goal yet. England will hope it stays that way for at least a couple more games.
#4 Flop: Robin Gosens (Germany)
The Atalanta full-back enjoyed an excellent tournament up until the game against England. Gosens is entrusted with the duty of bombing forward on the left flank and making a real difference inside the final third for Germany.
There was plenty of evidence for his potential and ability in the group stages as well, however, it was a comparatively lackluster display at Wembley.
Gosens struggled to deal with Kieran Trippier and Bukayo Saka in the wide areas and never really managed to stamp his authority on the game.
The 26-year-old also received a booking for a silly challenge on Trippier, which obviously stemmed from his frustration.
#3 Hit: Luke Shaw (England)
The Manchester United star was excellent throughout and contributed effectively in attack and defense. In what could be termed as the blueprint for an ideal performance from a modern wing-back, Shaw was heavily involved in both goals for England.
While he successfully negotiated the threat from Joshua Kimmich in wide areas during the first half, Shaw upped the ante soon after the interval.
The 25-year-old drilled in the perfect cross for Raheem Sterling to stab home the opening goal, before he initiated the move for the second goal through sheer determination.
Shaw pressed Serge Gnabry to win the ball just beyond the halfway line and then forayed forward before feeding Jack Grealish, who then put it on a plate for Harry Kane.
#2 Flop: Thomas Muller (Germany)
It is safe to say Muller will not forget Wembley 2020 for all the wrong reasons. The German is undoubtedly one of the most decorated and accomplished footballers in the world, but if it doesn't already feel like the twilight of his career, the events at Wembley have further amplified it.
Muller struggled to find the kind of space he could thrive on inside the final third and was ineffective for the majority of the game. However, the 31-year-old still had the best chance to score and squandered it in comical fashion.
Sterling's lackadaisical backpass allowed Havertz to send Muller through on goal and with just the goalkeeper to beat, the Bayern Munich star sliced his shot wide of the target. England breathed a collective sigh of relief as Muller's shocking miss prevented Germany from restoring parity.
The wait for a goal at the European championship goes on for Muller and with the next edition coming four years later, it feels as if he might not be around to try and change it.
#1 Hit: Jack Grealish (England)
England needed a hero and Grealish stepped up in style. When the game threatened to peter out into a goalless draw, Gareth Southgate decided to roll his dice.
Grealish is one of the best ball carriers in the world and has a penchant for making things happen out of thin air. The Aston Villa captain did exactly the same against Germany and provided a much-needed spark inside the final third for England.
After feeding Shaw in the build-up to the opening goal, Grealish then followed it up by bagging an assist five minutes later. It was his well-directed cross that allowed Kane to break his duck in the tournament with a diving header from close range.
Undoubtedly, Grealish is the x-factor within the England camp and if he keeps on delivering, the Three Lions will fancy their chances against any opposition.
