For Gareth Southgate's England, it was simple enough: beat Slovenia at home on Thursday night, and a place at next summer's World Cup was theirs.
Five points clear at the top of their qualifying group heading in to the game, the Three Lions were much fancied to get the job done before a weekend trip to Lithuania.
After all, this was only Slovenia - the 55th best team in the world, according to Fifa rankings.
Already unhappy at Southgate's decision to name out of form Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the starting line-up, England fans were also far from impressed with another aspect of the England manager's starting XI.
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Despite the inferior opposition, Southgate named two holding midfielders for the game - Jordan Henderson and Eric Dier - much to the disappointment of many supporters.
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