There were 17 minutes left when the ball bounced in Latvia's crowded penalty area. England had been poor and, suddenly, their hopes of reaching Euro 2019 were not so sure.

This had been a game where players had lost their footing and lost their heads. There had, though, been one exception. Mason Mount had enjoyed an excellent debut but it was just about to get so much better.

Mount, the Chelsea midfielder who is earning rave reviews at Derby, took one touch to steady himself and bought some time. With his next touch, he had swept an unerring shot into the far corner and, ultimately, put his country on the brink of another tournament.

Many people are queuing up to speak glowingly about Mount and this performance showed why; aside from setting up Tammy Abraham's equalising goal and scoring one of his own, his hard running and composure really struck a chord on a day when many of his team-mates toiled.

The contest started with a calamity. England's national anthem stopped playing halfway through and, at the same time, a row of advertising hoardings came crashing down. It was the kind of slapstick scene that you would see in a 'Carry On' film.

If it caused amusement for some of the England delegates, what they saw over the next 45 minutes was anything but funny. On a bobbly pitch in sparse surrounds, the majority of England's players failed to show anywhere near the kind of form that was expected.

Latvia were organised and wanted to work hard but just by doing the basics properly, they caused England a series of problems. Aidy Boothroyd changed the 10 outfield players who drew 0-0 with The Netherlands last Thursday but this performance did nothing to vindicate the show of faith.

The hosts could have taken the lead in 21st minute when Martins Kigurs capitalised on Jake Clarke-Salter losing his footing but the Latvia striker could not keep his poise as he streaked through and his weak shot failed to trouble Sheffield Wednesday keeper Dean Henderson.

They should have heeded the warning but, seven minutes later, they were behind and deservedly so. Another defensive mix-up, this time involving Clarke-Salter and Kyle Walker-Peters allowed Andris Jurkovskis to pounce, his shot looping in despite Henderson's best efforts.

England have not lost a European Championship qualifier since November 2011 but that record appeared to be in jeopardy at that stage. Mount, however, took control and in the 40th minute he latched onto an incisive pass from Walker-Peters to square for Abraham, who did the rest.

Boothroyd's side improved in the second half and only a dramatic double save from Kristaps Zommers prevented Abraham and Dominic Solanke scoring on the hour. The Latvian goalkeeper was powerless, though, when Mount stepped up.

This was the first time he has helped his country at this level. You suspect it will not be the last.