The Three Lions weathered the peaks and troughs and ebbs and flows of tournament football before emerging victorious in a performance that hints at better to come
There was plenty to be pleased about as Gareth Southgate looked back on a job well done.
He had just watched his England side win their opening game of a European Championship for the first time ever with a hard-fought but well-earned victory over Croatia at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
It also marked a measure of revenge, the Croats having knocked the Three Lions out in their last meaningful tournament game, the fateful World Cup semi-final three years ago.