For the first time since 1966, England are World Cup winners - and there was a Royal in the ranks!
Goalkeeper Luke Southwood was a member of the 21-man squad which took the top prize on Sunday in the Under-20 World Cup final in South Korea... the first time that the Three Lions have won a World Cup at any age bracket for 51 years!
Southwood has been involved regularly in the Young Lions' setup over the course of the past 12 months - that involved game-time in a Four Nations Tournament victory on home turf, and selection for the Continental Cup over the winter period - again hosted in South Korea.
But this achievement, to be part of a World-Cup winning side, dwarfs the lot.
England topped Group A in the pool stage of this summer's tournament; hosts South Korea reached the knockout stage as runners-up, while 6-time winners Argentina and minnows Guinea saw their tournaments come to an early end.
Slender wins against Costa Rica and Mexico followed in the first two knock-out stages, booking a place in the semis where Italy provided the opponents. The Young Lions suffered an early setback when Riccardo Orsolini netted after just two minutes, but a late brace by Dominic Solanke and a game-sealer by Ademola Lookman was rewarded with a place in the final.
And whatever happened in Suwon, there was going to be a new name on the trophy. Argentina and Brazil share 11 U20 World Cup wins between them... but it was fellow South Americans Venezuela who had run the gauntlet to have a chance to be crowned as victors.
In the end, one goal settled it at the Suwon World Cup Stadium. Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a shot blocked but turned in on the rebound, for what would eventually become the game-winning goal.
There was no better chance to draw level for La Vinotinto than a penalty-kick, given 15 minutes from the end. And with Southwood's exemplary record of saving spot-kicks - his save against Athletic Bilbao early this year was his 7th in succession - he would have loved to have been between the sticks...
... the responsibility fell to Newcastle stopper Freddie Woodman, the first-choice for Paul Simpson's side across the tournament. Adalberto Penaranda stepped up, and the custodian kept himself big to turn away the effort with a leg.
And when Southwood returns to Reading he'll proudly be able to call himself a World Cup winner. Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible triumph... champions of the world!
