England finished top of their Euro 2020 group after beating the Czech Republic at Wembley on Tuesday evening.
After acres of debate about his team selection, Bukayo Saka and Jack Grealish were brought in by Gareth Southgate, replacing the isolating Mason Mount and Phil Foden, and both were influential in an excellent opening goal for the Three Lions.
Saka's burst through the opposition defence put the Czechs on the back foot and, after Harry Kane had kept the ball alive, Grealish stood up a cross to the far post for Sterling to score his second goal of the tournament.
The Manchester City man had already hit the post in the opening minutes of the game, symbolic of a much sharper display from England, Harry Kane denied a welcome goal by a fine save from the Czech goalkeeper.
Chances were at much more of a premium after the break as the game took on the feel of a qualifier rather than a tournament fixture but there were relatively few alarms for England and Southgate took the opportunity to give Jude Bellingham time on the pitch on an evening when Harry Maguire played the full game and Jordan Henderson the second 45 minutes.
Job done, in a low-key manner for England but with no goals conceded and hopefully plenty left in the tank for the tests ahead which start with a last 16 tie that will most likely be against France, Germany or Portugal at Wembley.