England got their quest for Euro 2022 glory off to a winning start as Beth Mead's goal earned a 1-0 victory over Austria in front of a record crowd of 69,000 at Old Trafford.
The attendance smashed the previous best for a match at the women's European Championship by nearly 30,000.
And the vast majority inside the Theatre of Dreams got what they wanted to see in an England victory - even if Sarina Wiegman's women failed to hit top gear against a side ranked 21st in the world.
Home advantage is just one of the reasons why England are considered among the favourites to win their first-ever major tournament in the women's game.
Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to victory at Euro 2017, is now unbeaten in 15 games since taking charge in September.
The weight of expectation appeared to be weighing heavy on the hosts in a nervous start.
However, they kicked the tournament into life in style on 16 minutes when Fran Kirby's lofted pass picked out Mead and the Arsenal forward calmly lifted the ball over her club teammate Manuela Zinsberger.
Carina Wenninger made a desperate attempt to clear, but the ball had just crossed the line before she intervened.
England then settled into the rhythm that has seen them scores 85 goals and concede just three in the Wiegman era.
England face Norway next in Brighton on Monday in what is expected to be their toughest test of the group stages.
Austria take on tournament debutants Northern Ireland on the same day in Southampton.