It feels a long time ago that Anthony Gordon's place in the England line-up was not assured. It took until the final pre-World Cup warm-up with Costa Rica, where Gordon scored one and set up another, for him to really nail down his spot for the tournament opener with Croatia. Even then, many of the Sky Sports writers were yet to be totally convinced.
But barely three months on, he has become an integral name on Thomas Tuchel's team-sheet and one of his most valued attacking players. Since a slow start to that World Cup, something has clicked. Blanks in England's first two games against Croatia and Ghana saw him dropped for the must-win final group match with Panama, but on his return he set up both of Harry Kane's goals in the comeback win over DR Congo. He has never looked back.
Another assist against Norway plus a crowning goal in England's biggest game, the semi-final with Argentina, have brought the country and, perhaps, Gordon himself along too. The Barcelona winger is now on a four-game international scoring streak - the longest of any player in the current set-up and of anyone not called Harry Kane in almost six years.
That would be an impressive run for any player, not least one whose attacking output was so openly questioned right up until the eve that summer tournament. There are few questions about it at the moment. Gordon had struggled to recreate his best moments for his club in an England shirt until the finals, but now has 10 goal involvements in his last 10 games for his country as part of potentially the most in-form front four in international football.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing