ENGLAND'S victory over Slovenia yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon not only secured their place in the next round to meet old rivals Germany, but also made sure a few million England fans didn't feel it was a waste of an afternoon off work.
As supporters gathered in various watering holes and on various sofas all over the country, the pressure on the England players' shoulders was clear to see. As the camera spanned the starting XI during the national anthem you could see the sweat beads collecting on their foreheads.
But the Three Lions played bravely and Jermaine Defoe scored a great goal. And at least the would-be 'horror headlines' have been delayed for another few days.
Today we welcome a new contributor to the arena as FourFourTwo magazine, News of the World writer and local lad Luke Nicoli joined John Anderson and Jon Marks to give his analysis of England's performance.
View from the press box: Luke Nicoli
"There's more than a hint of irony seeing former Chelsea, Spurs and England star Jimmy Greaves floating around the periphery of this World Cup promoting Burger King Whoppers.
"You know the advert: Jim, the self-proclaimed England 'legend' inviting one lucky competition winner the chance to join him in a swanky London pad to watch the World Cup Final while eating said burger.
"This is from arguably the greatest striker this country has ever produced - 124 goals in 157 games for Chelsea, 220 in 321 for Spurs and, wait for it, 44 in 57 for England.
"He deserves a place at the top table, not as some kind of World Cup pariah, unfit to be mentioned in the same breath as Moore, Hurst or Peters, even if the latter two were rarely fit to lace his boots.
"But we all know why.
"A leg injury sustained in England's 1966 World Cup group game against France cut his tournament short. In stepped Hurst who scored the winner in the quarter-final against Argentina and the rest, as they say, is history.
"As far as Sir Alf was concerned, reputations stood for precious little. As they say, there is no 'i' in 'team'.
"Which brings us nicely onto this tournament and the quandary surrounding Wayne Rooney.
"As audacious in talent as Greaves was and every bit as animated in the spoken word, could history be about to repeat itself?
"Rooney, whatever people say about his improvement against Slovenia, is clearly a shadow of the player who single-handedly dragged Manchester United by their coat-tails last season. The ankle injury which threatened his very participation in South Africa lies dormant, yet ready to erupt at the merest twist or impact.
"Evidence of such came with his substitution towards the end of the game on Wednesday afternoon; his ovation from the pitch another example of the blind faith we have in a player whose barren run in an England shirt now extends to nearly ten months.
"Yes the ankle can be managed from game to game, but when it comes to facing the efficiency of Germany on Sunday, will there be any room for passengers?
"History suggests not, so is it time to bite the bullet and opt for Plan B, C or even D?
"Crouch, Heskey and Defoe are all waiting in the wings; perm any combination you like, even throw Steven Gerrard or Joe Cole into the mix to play 'off the front man' but do, Mr Capello, ensure your selection is performance and fitness rather than reputation related.
"You simply know the Teutonic nature of the beast; to chew up and spit out any danger in its path. Rooney will no doubt be in their sight lines in that respect. A tap on the ankle here, an even strong challenge there. Is it worth the risk of losing him altogether?
"Some would say yes, I beg to differ. And just think, Emile Heskey wins the nation over by repeating his feat of 2001 by scoring against the Germans. Wayne is then left out as he doubles his account against Argentina, then Spain…
"The realms of fantasy maybe, but while you're suspended there for a moment, you can just picture Rooney promoting burgers in a few years, can't you..? "
View from South Africa: John Anderson
"At last England showed some of the skill and spirit which was so lacking against Algeria and this was a thoroughly deserved victory.
"Either side of half time the team were a joy to watch and, with better finishing, could have won by three or four against a rather ambitionless Slovenia side.
"There were great performances from Steven Gerrard, James Milner and John Terry in particular.
"I just wonder whether Fabio Capello is reveling in the creative tension which seems to have been engendered within the camp by the Terry affair in the run up to the game.
"There's even a theory that he deliberately stoked up the situation to get a reaction from the players. If he did, it certainly worked.
"So next up it's the Germans and all the historical football baggage which comes with it. Again, I think Capello's role will be crucial.
"As an Italian he won't feel any of the hurt from Mexico 70, Italia 90 and Euro 96 that we've all suffered.
"To him it will be just another game and if he can get the players into that kind of mind-set, I think we'll be celebrating a famous victory on Bloemfontein on Sunday."
View from the sofa: Jon Marks
"Phew! What a relief that was!
"I must admit, when the goal came, I wasn't expecting it because despite a more assured start I couldn't really see a goal coming.
"But Defoe did what he does best and to be fair after that you could see the confidence and belief come flooding back into many of the players that had appeared to be consumed by fear a few days earlier.
"It was a shame that some of the other chances weren't taken but then it wouldn't be England if it had been comfortable would it?! Mark Lawrenson's quip midway through the second-half that watching England is a great cure for constipation was hilarious!
"I thought all the players were much better but James Milner stood out for me. He was industrious and his crossing was excellent. The way he kept the ball in the corner for the majority of injury-time was reminiscent of Gifton-Noel Williams against Bristol City on Boxing Day in 1999!
"Upson & Terry were excellent too and both of their last-ditch interventions were just as important as the winning goal.
"I still think Steven Gerrard is wasted out on the left but that is a small moan on a much better watching experience!
"Roll on Sunday afternoon - I think a bbq & flags & face paints (for the kids of course) is on the agenda!
"Just a word on the USA - how funny was Jay Demerit's celebration?!"
