Harry Kane was described by England manager Gareth Southgate as "the best goalscorer in the world" after his dramatic winner against Croatia earned his side a Nations League Finals berth.
Kane's late impact turned Sunday's Group 4 meeting at Wembley on its head, the England captain involved in substitute Jesse Lingard's equaliser before scoring the 85th-minute winner himself from close range.
England will now compete with Portugal and two other teams, who are yet to be decided, for the inaugural Nations League crown at the end of the domestic season.
Kane had not scored for England since the World Cup, where his six goals earned the Golden Boot but some flat performances in the knockout rounds saw Southgate criticised for not resting the striker.
However, a proud Southgate made it clear Kane's importance to England cannot be underestimated after the Three Lions gained a measure of revenge for their extra-time World Cup semi-final loss by relegating Croatia to League B.
"I think Harry is the best goalscorer in the world frankly so you're always loathe to take a player of his ability off," Southgate told a news conference.
"Some people question decisions in the summer but he's our main penalty taker and our leader.
"In 98 per cent of games his hold up play and everything is critical, he played a fantastic pass for Raheem [Sterling] in the first half.
"So we have huge belief in him and he is so hungry to lead the team further."
November 18, 2018