Gareth Southgate can now begin to plan in earnest for the 2018 World Cup in Russia after seeing his side shrug off the loss of an early goal at Wembley to beat their closest rivals in the group.
Slovakia's early strike was actually the making of the match as it energised the Wembley crowd as well as the hosts, who gradually began to take control of the game from around halfway through the first-half.
Eric Dier scored the crucial equalising goal before the break and Southgate will have been delighted to see the momentum England had at half-time carried over into the second period.
A spell of sustained pressure brought its reward as Marcus Rashford rattled in a fine shot from outside the penalty area after a good team move.
The pace of Rashford and movement of Dele Alli caused plenty of problems for the Slovak defence and England would have been worth a third goal had it arrived.
Three points was the major prize however and Southgate, manager of the Under-21's just under a year ago, will now be pitting his wits against the best in the world next summer.