Football may not be coming home just yet, but England are at least staying there, for now.
This was the win that ensured England will remain at Wembley for their round of 16 fixture, against opponents likely to be a significant upgrade on this.
Czech Republic are a tidy side and this was never entirely comfortable with such a slight lead to defend, but with the next match almost certain to be against one of France, Germany or Portugal, it’s fair to say the tournament proper for Gareth Southgate and his players begins next Tuesday.
This was a test of nerve, mind, and they passed. Raheem Sterling became the first player since Alan Shearer to score England’s first two goals in a European Championship tournament; creative gambles on Jack Grealish and Bukayo Saka were justified; Harry Kane had his best game so far, and got the fans back onside; while Harry Maguire came through unscathed for 90 minutes, Jordan Henderson for 45. It was a good night.
Raheem Sterling wheels away in celebration after heading England into the lead against Czech Republic at Wembley
The 5ft 7in winger was alone at the back post to head in Jack Grealish's looping cross and capitalise on England's quick start
Sterling keeps his eye on the ball as he simply nods the ball into the back of the Czech Republic net in the 12th minute
The Czech Republic defenders can only stand and stare as Sterling heads in the opener in England's final group game
Sterling slides on his knees in celebration after breaking the early deadlock in front of rapturous fans inside Wembley
England's No 10 is swarmed by his team-mates, who congratulate him for scoring the opening goal on Tuesday evening
Not one that laid down a marker as Italy, France, Germany and Belgium have to here, but one that got the job done. England topped the group and by three clear points. Southgate would have settled for that outcome before the competition began.
With Mason Mount out of the next round of fixtures, too, it was important Southgate alighted on an alternate attacking approach, and now he has one.
Phil Foden may be restored to the team next week, but Grealish and Saka are vying for a place after showing the bravery to run with the ball and the wit to open up an organised defence.
They faded after half-time, but so did England. It was more the scoreline that unnerved than anything the Czechs created, however. Jordan Pickford made one excellent save the whole match.
Southgate will feel encouraged too that Maguire looked back to his best at the heart of defence, and that Henderson had more success dictating the pace of the game than the man he replaced, Declan Rice.
Sterling came close to breaking the deadlock 10 minutes before, where he lobbed the ball over an on-rushing Tomas Vaclik
While Sterling was able to beat Vaclik to the ball and shoot at goal, his lobbed effort could only strike the post
Sterling has his head in his hands after watching his effort strike the post in the opening minutes of the game
Options are appearing and the gamble on using the increased squad size to allow experienced players to return to fitness has paid off. This is still a young squad, but it no longer has to be a young
