Daniel Sturridge thanked England coach Roy Hodgson for standing by him and taking him to Euro 2016 after the striker scored the winning goal in the Three Lions' 2-1 victory over Wales on Thursday.
England came into the game in Lens desperate for a win following their 1-1 draw with Russia on Saturday, but went behind when Gareth Bale fired in a free-kick minutes before the break despite the Three Lions having the better of the first-half chances.
Hodgson responded by bringing Sturridge and Jamie Vardy on for the second half, and the move paid off when the Liverpool man swung a cross into the box which Vardy drove home for the equaliser in the 56th minute.
The Leicester striker then linked up with Dele Alli to set up Sturridge, who subsequently fired in during added time to hand England a 2-1 win that lifts the team into first place in Group B with four points.
Sturridge's preparations for the tournament in France were hindered by a calf injury, which restricted his game time to just 12 minutes, but despite some doubts over his inclusion, the Liverpool striker admitted it felt "great" to have repaid Hodgson's faith in his abilities.
"It's a great feeling. Unbelievable. I am grateful to the gaffer for the opportunity and God for allowing me to score. It is a brilliant feeling," Sturridge told BBC Sport afterwards.
"It is only one more game in the group, so no-one wants to get too excited but the atmosphere is unbelievable and the togetherness between the two countries here is unbelievable.
"It is great to help the boys win the game, my brother and my cousin have travelled here to the game and it is great for them to experience this."
