Lee Carsley's final game in temporary charge of the England senior squad was tense for over half its duration.
In fact, some fans and even the broadcast commentary team were wondering if a banana peel was forthcoming to cap the Three Lions' worst calendar year in quite some time in terms of home fixtures.
However, at the 51-minute mark, their Nations League clash against Ireland changed. Fast.
The delicate deadlock was broken by Harry Kane's superb pass to send Jude Bellingham in, which forced Celtic defender Liam Scales into conceding a penalty and receiving a red card.
Kane converted the spot kick in the 53rd minute, then Anthony Gordon and Conor Gallagher feasted on the 11-on-10 advantage with goals in the 56th and 58th minutes for 3-0.
The visitors would have fancied their chances at continuing to frustrate and concern England towards perhaps stunning them with a winner, until it all went to pot like that within one seven-minute spell.
And later on, after things had calmed down for a bit, the hosts put a pair of cherries on the cake when Jarrod Bowen and debutant Taylor Harwood-Bellis scored their first England goals to make it 5-0.
Harwood-Bellis' goal told one incredible story in itself, given he's the future son-in-law of Ireland legend Roy Keane, who provided studio analysis of the game for ITV in Britain.
Who is Taylor Harwood-Bellis? Link to Roy Keane explained
The Southampton defender is engaged to Keane's daughter Leah, and cites his relationship with his fiancee's father as a very positive one for his career.
“Yes, it’s something that is good and I take a lot of advice," he was quoted as saying regarding Keane.
Harwood-Bellis, 22, came up through the ranks at Manchester City after growing up in nearby Stockport.
He spent time on loan at Blackburn, Anderlecht, Stoke and Burnley before a loan spell at St Mary's was then made permanent.
He came off the bench on Sunday to make his England senior debut after games at under-16, under 17, under 19, under-20 and under-21.
17 minutes later, he had his first senior goal.
Roy Keane comments on future son-in-law's England debut goal
Keane was inevitably asked about Harwood-Bellis' impactful England debut during the post-match analysis.
"It's bittersweet for me, this," he said, before his studio colleagues explained to viewers at home that the centre-back is due to marry Leah Keane.
"It's not done and dusted yet," joked Roy in response to much laughter. "Teams can change real quickly in the Keane household.
"But he's got a goal in him, we've seen at Southampton. It's nice for him.
"It's good for him to make his debut, he's a nice kid, his family has done a really good job with him."
In another cool touch, the team noted that Harwood-Bellis wore Keane's signature shirt number, 16, for the memorable debut.
