Trailing to Slovakia and on the brink of a humiliating elimination, England were in desperate need of a hero when Jude Bellingham stepped up to produce one of the Three Lions' greatest ever tournament goals in stoppage time on Sunday.
Winding up for an audacious effort with his eyes firmly fixated on the ball, England's young star sent tens of thousands of fans in Germany and millions more at home into a frenzy as his 95th minute acrobatic equaliser nestled into the corner of the goal.
It was a cometh the hour, cometh the man moment which not only likely saved Gareth Southgate's job - but will forever be enshrined in England's history books.
Bellingham's sublime strike forced extra-time, but more importantly triggered a shift in momentum that captain Harry Kane seized upon when he clinched England's winner.
After Bellingham's moment of genius kick-started a memorable 2-1 comeback against Slovakia, MailOnline looks at England's greatest ever tournament goals ahead of their quarter-final tie against Switzerland on Saturday.
Jude Bellingham equalised in the 95th minute with a sublime acrobatic strike against Slovakia on Sunday evening
David Platt (England 1-0 Belgium, June 27, 1990 World Cup)
No one was able to break the stalemate until David Platt conjured up his own moment of genius to send England through to the quarter-finals.
With just seconds to go, the tie was heading for a dreaded penalty shoot-out until England were awarded a free-kick inside the Belgium half.
Paul Gascoigne then floated in a ball over the Belgium defence, finding Platt who had come on as a substitute in the second half for Steve McMahon.
Platt had managed to find himself in some space between the tired Belgian defenders when he swivelled around and connected with the ball on the volley to break the deadlock in spectacular style.
'England have done it – in the last minute of extra time!' screamed a euphoric John Motson at the time.
David Platt wheels away in celebration after scoring one of the most memorable goals in England history
The shot wasn't very powerful, but the swift turn and technique was enough to send the ball into the top corner away from the world class Belgian goalkeeper, Michel Preud'homme.
Unfortunately, Platt wasn't able to celebrate with the rest of the team after the match after being taken for a random drug test immediately after the game.
It was a goal, however, thatmade Platt's career and ignited England's best World Cup campaign since 1966. Theywent on to beat Cameroon before losing to West Germany on penalties in the semi-finals.
Michael Owen (England 2-2 Argentina, June 30 1998 World Cup)
At just 18 years of age, Michael Owen truly exploded onto the global scene with a stunning solo goal against world-beaters Argentina.
Reminiscent of Diego Maradona's solo effort against England in 1986, Owen took a beautiful touch to control a pass from David Beckham before starting a blistering run past defender Jose Chalmot.
Owen shrugged off the tackle and made his way into the penalty area before lifting an inch-perfect strike above the goalkeeper into the top left corner.
This spectacular effort, regarded as one of the best ever World Cup goals, was unfortunately not enough to get England through to the quarter-final after the Argentinians won the game on penalties.
Michael Owen exploded onto the global stage as an 18-year-old with a sensational strike against Argentina in 1998
Joe Cole (England 2-2 Sweden, June 20 2006 World Cup)
Who could forget the sheer bravado of Joe Cole trapping the ball on his chest before firing off a spectacular volley from 35 yards out to send England fans and WAGs into raptures.
While the goal came in a 2-2 setback against Sweden in the group stages, the goal itself is one that fans always talk about.
England had been peppering the Sweden goals for the first half an hour of the match to no avail and, after they had cleared their lines after a scramble in the box, Sweden must’ve breathed a sigh of relief.
The ball however, bounced kindly for Cole who controlled the ball on his chest and hit a dipping, curving lob thatSweden goalkeeper Andreas Isaksson could only help into the top corner.
Cole celebrated by running to the corner flag, his chest still puffed out, as he soaked up the sheer elation from the crowd.
Joe Cole's thunder strike against Sweden in 2006 was a memorable one. He trapped the ball on his chest before unleashing a rocket from 35 yards out
Paul Gascoigne (England 2-0 Scotland, Euro 96)
As hosts of the European Championships in 1996, there was huge expectations for England's talented squad.
Those expectations were dampened when England drew their opener with Switzerland.
But the feelgood factor was ignited by the genius of Paul Gascoigne whose goal against Scotland has left a legacy which will last forever.
England were 1-0 up before a Scotland penalty was saved by David Seaman.
Desperate for a second goal, Gascoigne stepped up to the plate with a moment of individual brilliance.
He flicked the ball over Colin Hendry with his left foot and volleyed it into the goal with his right. The rest is history - including the iconic dentist's chair celebration where he lay on the ground as his team-mates squirted water into his mouth.
It was a reference to a booze-fuelled night the England players went on in Hong Kong before the tournament. Gazza and other members of the squad took turns to sit in a dentist's chair while bartenders poured drinks into their mouth.
Gazza is pictured doing the dentist's chair celebration after his wonder strike against Scotland in 1996
An inspired England squad went on to beat the Netherlands 4-1 before booking a place in the semi-finals with a win on penalties against Spain.
But it was yet more heartache for England fans when the Three Lions were knocked out by Germany on penalties - with Gareth Southgate's miss going down in history.
Jude Bellingham (England 2-1 Slovakia, June 30 2024 Euros)
There was just 86 seconds left on the clock when Jude Bellingham rescued England from the depths of despair.
With time running out, Kyle Walker had no choice but to launch a long throw into the box in the hope that it would land on the head of a man wearing England's white strip.
As England loaded up the box with forwards, midfielders and defenders, it was centre-back Marc Guehi who crucially flicked the ball further into the box with his head. Time then stood still.
In a flash of genius which will be talked about for years to come, Bellingham took to the air to produce an iconic strike past the helpless Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.
The timing of the could could not have been more important. It kept England's tournament hopes alive and thanks to a second goal from Harry Kane, the Three Lions scraped through to the quarter-finals.
Bellingham's overhead strike sent England fans wild as the game was forced into extra-time
In a flash of genius which will be talked about for years to come, Bellingham took to the air to produce an iconic strike past the helpless Slovakia goalkeeper Martin Dubravka
Bellingham does his trademark celebration alongside England captain Harry Kane on Sunday
Sir Bobby Charlton (England 2-0 Mexico, 1966 World Cup)
It would simply be wrong not to include a goal from England's 1966-winning side.
And few goals were better than Sir Bobby's absolute belter from outside of the box at Wembley.
Charlton, widely regarded as one of England's greatest players of all time, picked the ball up in his own half before dribbling towards the Mexico box, jinking left and right.
From about 30 yards out, the number 9 then unleashed a thunderbolt with his right foot which cushioned right into the top left corner.
The 2-0 win was the perfect response to England's opening 0-0 draw with Uruguay. They went on to win their group with another victory over France before beating Argentina, Portugal and West Germany in the final.
Bobby Charlton raises the Jules Rimet trophy in the air following England's 4-2 victory after extra time over West Germany in the World Cup Final at Wembley Stadium in 1966. His goal against Mexico helped England on their way to World Cup glory
