One cap shy of half a century, Kyle Walker had written his international career off. At 30, and with England’s stable in his position already bursting, he thought that was it.
After more than a year in exile, which included high-profile lockdown indiscretions, Gareth Southgate had brought the Manchester City right back in for a Nations League game in Iceland after strong club form.
Walker saw red for two yellows, the second a needless lunge before England hung on for victory, and he publicly vowed to speak with Southgate about his future in the immediate aftermath.