For all the talk about the right-back curse, right-wing has also been a real problem position for England at this World Cup - until now. This was the night Thomas Tuchel's masterplan finally came to fruition.
Bukayo Saka has effectively been wrapped in cotton wool all tournament but in this hard-fought, energy-sapping quarter-final victory against Norway in which England were pushed to their physical limit, the Arsenal winger showcased his class and just how important he could well prove to be over the course of the next week.
The inconsistency of England's wide forwards at this tournament has been deeply frustrating but when Saka is this sharp and in full flow, he is one of the first names on the team-sheet alongside heroic two-goal Jude Bellingham and captain Harry Kane.
Saka's Impact Off the Bench
He was exceptional after replacing Noni Madueke and must now start Wednesday's World Cup last-four clash in Atlanta after finally arriving in North America at long last. Saka threatened from the bench to turn in his best display of the tournament, creating panic in the penalty box with his deliveries and linking up effectively with Reece James.
Games like this, up against slow full-backs, were made for Madueke but he just cannot seem to grab the bull by the horns. Instead, he appears to grind down the opposition for Saka, who has the quality to inflict serious damage.
Madueke's Struggle for Consistency
This is the kind of stage Madueke would have been dreaming about while on the playground at St Columba's College in St Albans or in his bedroom in the small Dutch village of Wintelre just outside Eindhoven during his five-year stint with PSV. Yet still, he just cannot seem to escape going through the motions and he was withdrawn at the interval.
Unfortunately, this was further proof of just why Saka is England's first-choice right-winger. Madueke and Anthony Gordon were evidently instructed to hug the touchline and their selfless positioning created huge space for England's midfielders - notably Bellingham - and Nico O'Reilly to roam free.
But when Madueke received the ball, it would be an understatement to say that he blows hot and cold. His delivery is like a box of chocolates, you never quite know what you're going to get. Saka's is usually on the money and if it's not, it still causes major panic in the penalty box.
England's Reliance on Key Players
In a game of this magnitude, when you also consider the decisiveness of France's wide players Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Bradley Barcola, England require more as they simply cannot keep relying on the brilliance of Bellingham and captain Harry Kane. At times, Jarrod Bowen must be tearing his hair out - just like supporters - on his sofa back home. Thomas Tuchel has shown immense loyalty to Madueke and so far, he is yet to repay that faith.
It's a crying shame Bukayo Saka has been hindered by a problematic Achilles injury as all the other top nations - France, Spain and Argentina - have utilised fire-power from the right. Madueke, sadly, is not in the same class as Ousmane Dembele, Lamine Yamal or Lionel Messi, who has tweaked his game in recent matches and looked devastating coming inside from the flank.
Saka's Star Quality Shines
Saka is and showcased his cuteness and star quality five minutes from time when he wriggled past his full-back before feeding a teasing ball across the face of goal but nobody could convert. He was a threat throughout extra-time, won fouls and generally was so smart in possession, linking up with Reece James, interchanging, probing and threatening from the right. If he is able to build upon this, maybe, just maybe, he is peaking at just the right time for England.
