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Bellingham leads 'lucky' England graft as Spence and Burn silence critics
And after all, they are still their own wonderwall. But are they going to be the ones who can still save six decades of hurt too?
It may not be one for the history books like Mexico, but England's win over Norway on Saturday carries just as much weight.
For just the fourth time in their history - and the first time since 2018 - the Three Lions are into a FIFA World Cup semi-final.
1966. 1990. 2018. And now, to join them on the upper shelf of tournament performances, 2026 decked in red, white and blue.
For Thomas Tuchel though, any sigh of relief comes tempered by the frustrations that his England side are still chasing identity.
The German, for whom a last-four finish was the bare minimum after succeeding Sir Gareth Southgate, was irritable in Miami.
He blasted his team as "lucky" in the aftermath, even as he hailed a "fantastic" result, suggesting work there is still to be done.
Are England fortunate to progress?
Every tournament team is a work in progress, give or take. England have never been an exception, not since their return to form.
Southgate's Three Lions - at least until EURO 2024 - typically grew their legs the deeper they went, tempered by knockout fire.
Even when they didn't, it came down as much to superior opposition - France in 2022 - or fortunes unfavoured - Croatia in 2018.
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Luck has always played a stroke in the biggest games. England's greatest triumph, in 1966, certainly saw them ride theirs often.
Norway's belief that a spider-cam intervention - hit by a ball in the lead-up to Jude Bellingham's equaliser - adds further fuel too.
Erling Haaland and company saw a goal chalked off in the second half, and at points, the Landslaget looked the superior side.
Bellingham reaffimrs heartbeat status
Once more though, it was Bellingham - fundamentally the heartbeat of this side, especially with Declan Rice ill - who prevailed.
The Real Madrid midfielder's legacy has only been further burnished here, after a string of fine solo turns in the Southgate era.
Right now, he is the fulcrum of England's belief they can get the job done, no matter whether it is the easy way or the hard way.
His first goal was an exquisitely timed touch, held up once more by Anthony Gordon's assist and the phantom shapes he pulls.
As for the winner, it was a case of right place, right time - but what a place and what a time to be, for a capital poacher's finish.
Tuchel's decision to pull him late on suggests legs saved for the semi-final. His performance could dictate a result with Argentina.
Spence and Burn silence doubters
Among Tuchel's pre-tournament selections, the arrival of Djed Spence - complete with broken jaw - and Dan Burn drew scorn.
Well, look at them now. The former may have struggled in the early stages, but his last two turns as a late sub have been terrific.
Spence, one of the brighter lights in a dismal Tottenham season, has had his work ethic and attitude called into question before.
If his role here - to shore up a flagging defence in the final stages - is a rebuttal to that, then it is one he seems to be relishing in.
Burn too felt like an outlier, especially with in-form veterans such as Harry Maguire left home - but he is now an essential part too.
His towering work as a clearing body may not have matched Mexico here, but remained crucial. His flowers have been truly earned.
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