Whisper it quietly, but England looked the real deal beneath the famous Wembley arch last night.
Having gone agonisingly close to ending the country's long, long wait for an international trophy, there was maybe always bound to be a 'hangover' of sorts for the Three Lions and their heart-broken stars.
That's something which has impacted some Premier League clubs more than others...
Manchester City runs right through this vibrant England team.
Given their standing and domination across the domestic game - winning three titles in the past four seasons - that remains a natural by-product which, in turn, drums up pride and trepidation in equal measure.
Indeed, it's only last month that five City players were fielded for the first time.
Fortunately for Pep Guardiola, his England representation came through that assignment unscathed, while the four who donned the Three Lions - from the start - against Albania underlined their undoubted and continued worth for club and country.
And yes, that includes Raheem Sterling.
Cast aside by Guardiola either side of his Euro 2020 heroics, the former Liverpool forward remains an integral and trusted part of this England line-up under Gareth Southgate. On this occasion, it was he and Phil Foden who were chosen to flank hat-trick hero Harry Kane.
They did so to devastating effect. They did so at the expense of their biggest 'problem' at City.
Swashbuckling performances for Aston Villa convinced Guardiola and key figures responsible for transfers over at the Etihad Stadium to break the nine-figure barrier to sign £100million man Jack Grealish. He's come in for criticism during his early days with City - but only Joao Cancelo has featured more this campaign to indicate how highly the maverick talent is rated by Guardiola.
For the most part, that's come as a direct threat to Sterling.
Foden has, meanwhile, emerged as a go-to option for his Spanish coach. Quite simply, the Stockport-born starlet has gone to another level this season - putting Euro 2020 anguish to good and kicking-on in an eye-catching way that will only benefit club and country.
His display on the right-hand side vs Albania would have come as no surprise to City supporters.
As for Sterling, he underlined every reason why the Premier League champions went knocking at Anfield, carrying £57million in hard cash, for his fleet-footed services six years ago now.
Out of favour? yes. Out of form? It appears not.
Would you cash-in on Sterling? Have your say in the comments section below.
Southgate has remained incredibly loyal to Sterling amid his ongoing issues at the Etihad Stadium - but might this latest showing in an England shirt force Guardiola into a rethink?
Suggestions that he will move to Barcelona or other potential suitors will continue. Ultimately, though, the way he and Foden dovetailed with summer target Kane will not have gone unnoticed by City fans - nor should it when the Catalan takes a closer look at the highlights, or Grealish for that matter.
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