Shearer heads home the England winner (RKinnaird/Allsport)

That the victory came against arch-rivals Germany somehow made it just that little bit sweeter as all those defeats, the memories of World Cup '90 and Euro '96, the feelings of always being cast as unlucky losers, were finally expunged.

That it was long-overdue was without question.

But that Alan Shearer answered those legion of critics in the one way which truly matters, with his first goal for his country in eight games, was similarly incontrovertible.

It was the goal which the England captain deserved and when it came in the 53nd minute, it was certainly some way for him to attempt to postpone his intended international retirement just that little bit longer.

Having accumulated 34 years of bad luck in the six competitive games between the countries since the 1966 World Cup final - none of which Germany had lost and two of which they had won on penalties - England duly used up much of that good fortune from then on.

Where Stuart Pearce, Chris Waddle and Gareth Southgate had missed from the spot in 1990 and 1996, so too did Carsten Jancker waste a gilt-edged chance to equalise.

But while it was inevitably nerve-wracking, who could begrudge England this victory even if they still need to draw against Romania to qualify and even if far tougher sides - such as Italy in the last eight - await them should they do so?

And who could begrudge Keegan, for all the problems against Portugal, the fact that he can now look ahead with renewed confidence to Tuesday's final group game?

Indeed, he also showed considerable tactical nous in learning the lessons of the 3-2 defeat by Portugal, when England threw away a 2-0 lead, by this time protecting a slender advantage by almost immediately replacing striker Michael Owen with midfielder Steve Gerrard.

Having seen his side lose their heads, shape and control of midfield against Portugal after seizing that lead, Keegan had initially kept the same starting line-up apart from replacing the injured Tony Adams and Steve McManaman with Martin Keown and Dennis Wise.

It had seemed a safety-first policy and for the opening 30 minutes, safety was all that England seemed to have on their minds.

All that succeeded in doing though was to allow Germany to dominate possession as Keegan's side were again outnumbered in midfield, while their passing was badly flawed even when they did manage to win back the ball.

What kept them in the game, however, was that Germany are beset by as many - if not more - problems in their side and patently lacked the inspiration of the injured Oliver Bierhoff up front.

Jancker posed an early physical problem for Sol Campbell in the air but the Tottenham defender gradually imposed himself upon the game and David Seaman saved comfortably from Dietmar Hamann, Mehmet Scholl and Christian Ziege.

The match finally sprung into life for England on 35 minutes when Phil Neville swung over a cross and Owen arched himself backwards to flick a header goalwards.

Keeper Oliver Kahn managed to fling himself sideways to parry the ball off the line but it still awoke England from their torpor and Paul Scholes volleyed just over soon afterwards.

The passing was suddenly snappier and the movement much improved, although David Beckham, who had been effectively marked and deprived of service up to this point, needlessly lost his head and fouled Ulf Kirsten to get booked.

The Manchester United winger was immediately back to what he does best though - crossing the ball into the path of Scholes, who controlled the ball with his chest and half-volleyed a powerful shot which Kahn again parried.

Although Hamann flashed a volley wide, England had seized the initiative and although Ziege drove a free-kick just over, Keegan's side rammed home their advantage seven minutes after the restart.

Beckham - who else? - delivered a searching free-kick which flashed over the head of Owen, evaded Scholes, Markus Babbel and Jeremies but, after bouncing, arrived at the far post, where Shearer was waiting.

The England captain has had enough critics over the past couple of weeks to fill the stadium in Charleroi but whatever question-marks may remain over his pace, he does not miss a header from that range and the ball flashed past the stranded figure of Kahn.

The net bulged, the fans erupted and, believe it or not, England were ahead.

Shearer had similarly given them the lead in the Euro '96 semi-final, however, only for Germany to equalise and England were soon indebted to Jancker's inability to turn quickly as he fired over at the near post.

Scholl had even better chance almost immediately afterwards after the defence were caught flat-footed but he too fired wide.

Where he had prevaricated against Portugal, this time Keegan reacted immediately to the growing danger by taking off Owen with 30 minutes left and bringing Steve Gerrard into central midfield, while Scholes pushed slightly further forward.

Still Germany threatened, though. Still the nerves became even more frayed.

Kirsten turned just four yards out to deflect the ball goalwards after a corner was headed on yet Seaman saved with his legs and when the rebound fell to Jancker, the Bayern Munich forward showed his lack of finishing prowess by bundling his shot past the post.

Scholes was replaced by Nick Barmby, while Germany made their full complement of three changes, and although the Germans continued to press, England managed to hold firm.

At the end, Keegan was enveloped in a swarm of congratulations. He had met his Waterloo - and come through it victorious.

England, wearing '1966 red', had finally overcome Germany, wearing 'Turin green'. And the England coach would have really loved that, really loved it.

It may not have been the final but amid all the tumultuous celebrations of relief as much as joy, it certainly seemed like it.