Raheem Sterling had no concerns over stepping into Harry Kane's boots as England's penalty taker to seal a 90th minute win over Iceland.
The Three Lions had struggled to break their hosts down until Sterling was awarded a rather fortuitous penalty, which he stepped up to convert with captain Kane having been substituted.
England rode their luck as, seconds after the game had started once more, Joe Gomez conceded a penalty, though Iceland's Birkir Bjarnason blasted over the crossbar.
Sterling kept his penalty low and central and said he was confident stepping into Kane's shoes.
"As soon as I got the ball I decided straight down the middle," Sterling told Sky Sports. "It's the 90th minute so I just knew the keeper wouldn't stand straight in the middle, I was pretty confident with it."
Sterling is now one of the senior figures in Southgate's squad with more than 50 caps to his name, and was starting alongside Manchester City teammate Phil Foden on his debut. Manchester United's Mason Greewood was also introduced from the bench for his first cap, and Sterling knows the future for the Three Lions is bright with the duo making the step up to senior level.
"I knew about Mason before he was in the United senior team and he is a player I am excited by," said Sterling. "I'm really glad to be playing with him, I know he is a player who will develop over the years to become a top quality player.
"Phil as well, he is a player that gets on the ball, finds spaces with one and two touches and he's sharp. It's a bright future ahead, we just need to keep growing as a team and each camp we can see that coming."
