N Rowland Sports Writer

Three lockdowns. A tiering system. Governmental chaos. Suffering caused by a virulent pandemic that we had to endure therefore being away from loved ones.

And yet, all that is not all you think or talk about because of what happened on the hallowed turf of Wembley last night against our oldest enemy, Germany.

It was a sunny day and somehow, it felt different. There was quiet but with a sense of optimism, optimism that for some, bordered on confidence. The day progressed in the typical day these days progress in that it dragged and dragged until 5pm when the spectacle began to unfold before the eyes of a hopeful nation.

It started in the way we thought it might with Germany having a lot of the ball, but England bided our time and waited for the moment or moments as it turned out to arrive.

The first moment arrived on 75 minutes when after characteristic ingenuity from Jack Grealish and a pinpoint ball in from Luke Shaw, Raheem Sterling and his wand of a right foot put it into Neuer’s net and provoked scenes of emotion and unbridled joy in the stands of Wembley and in pubs, living rooms and other locations all over the country.

Then, almost straight after, something happened that made you scared, petrified, and worried that it was going to unfold like it had unfolded so many times before.

Thomas Muller was put through and had the goal gaping whilst time stood still and we hoped he would somehow mess it up which almost unbelievably, he did.

After so many years of injustice and unluck, this was the luck we deserved for which we had waited 55 years.

Then, on 86 minutes, from a Jack Grealish cross, Harry Kane headed in and won the game for us. Yes, we went 2-0 up and now just had to see the game out. Minutes later, upon the final whistle, a collective release of joy occurred, and beautiful scenes unfolded.

The scenes that give you unending happiness and make you want it to go on as long as possibly can. Fortunately, we are playing again on Saturday against Ukraine in Rome. A game that will be tough but one that this team of heroes and geniuses can win.

The fact that it was Germany mean that those who did not believe now believe and therefore, the nation is now tied together in unanimity and a feeling of optimism, pride and confidence in this team and manager, a manager that exorcised demons of 96.

The game against Germany and the entire day was one of the best of my life and one that I will cherish and look back on with fondness for as long as I live not only because of the result, but also because I watched it with my aunty and uncle.

Watching it with them is an experience I will never forget because of how special it was and how joyous it was too.

We after months of pain, are now living through a glorious time and long may it continue.

A beautiful day. A beautiful team. A beautiful country.

Football’s coming home.