Gareth Southgate has joked that Ivan Toney was 'disgusted' with his decision to bring him on in the 94th minute of Sunday's dramatic victory over Slovakia.
Eyebrows were raised when the Brentford striker was brought on with just two minutes of injury time remaining with his side trailing 1-0.
However, Jude Bellingham made it 1-1 with a bicycle kick in the 95th minute before Toney teed up Harry Kane to head home the winner in extra-time.
'There's no question that Ivan Toney was pretty disgusted when I put him on with a minute to go,' said the England boss after the game.
'I think we've made up now! He had a big impact, with the second goal as well. I think if you put a sub on at that time, it's a last throw of the dice. He maybe doesn't even touch the ball.
'I completely understand it. I don't like putting a player in that position, but I just had a feeling that he might have been able to cause a bit of chaos.'
'I had a funny feeling the game wasn't dead and I know that sounds ridiculous,' added Southgate. 'We were pushing and probing. Ultimately it is the one we have thrown in the box that got us the goal.
'I'm so proud of the players and the spirit the lads showed. Everybody we put into the game played a part and helped us get over the line. They are all pushing and helping each other and tonight. That made the difference.
'Under that pressure they kept probing. In the end it is the old fashioned long throw that gets the goal. Those moments can happen when you keep wearing a team down.'
Southgate also hinted that England could set up differently in their next match at Euro 2024 after adopting a different approach in the latter stages of Sunday's dramatic win over Slovakia.
England changed their shape after Kane's goal, moving to a back three with Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze as wing-backs.
Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice made up a midfield three with both Ivan Toney and Kane up top.
Asked if this could be the way forward for his side, Southgate said: 'we'll see'.
Outlier
0
Out through the South Gate
itswajiii
2
Southgate hanging in there by the skin of his teeth [Crylaugh]
rehaekorty
0
Southgate out
votablnoty
0
Great win man. It's character
kukdknoyz
3
Win or lose, a "no - clue" manager is still "clueless ". Find your best ELEVEN fast.
Noybopst
0
Well sometimes such kind of time used last long in a competition despite being boring to watch, but with some luck they might survive and even came home with the trophy...
2010 world cup winners Spain was scoring 1 goal and won the cup with one goal. Don't write England out
mbiaks
3
the best teams in a competition hardly wins the competition, performance like the average play of England, Swiss, and France can really bring a surprise. but hey I need Portugal to win.
D’breeze-EL-Papi
2
A win is a win big up Southgate 😂✌️
Rihabcdekr
0
Well sometimes such kind of time used last long in a competition despite being boring to watch, but with some luck they might survive and even came home with the trophy...
Fapadeknz
0
Southgate telling lies
ColinsGooner
0
surviving by lucky has made England talk like they played like Spain
NkaluboAshiraf
0
soon there going back home😂😂😂