“We have had passion and heart but we also had brains,” Southgate said in praise of his team. “We found a nice balance to be brave with ball and keep possession and to go quickly and counter.”

Man of the Match Harry Maguire said: “It means everything to beat them. They are an excellent team with great players. We wanted to be brave on and off the ball wanted to be aggressive.”

England, who are yet to concede at the Euros, now leave Wembley for the first time to play at quarter-final on Saturday in Rome against Ukraine, and would return to London for the rest of the tournament if they win.

“It is an immense challenge from here on. The players know that. Their feet are on the ground,” Southgate said. “We came here with an intention and haven't achieved that yet.”

Germany go home after another modest tournament with just one victory, after a group stage exit at the 2018 World Cup. Loew's era thus ended in disappointment after 15 years on the job highlighted by the 2014 World Cup title, with his former assistant and ex-Bayern Munich coach Hansi Flick taking over.

Loew rued missed major chances from Timo Werner and Thomas Mueller, saying that at this level “every mistake and not taken chance is punished. The team may lack experience and maturity. We always had moments where we lacked final determination at the back and front.”

Germany kicked off after both teams took a knee and Leon Goretzka recorded a first shot on target which however was a tame effort into Jordan Pickford's arms.

England hardly saw the ball early on but the hosts finally became adventurous and the crowd excited by a curling long-range effort in the 16th from Sterling palmed away by Manuel Neuer.

Werner had a golden chance to break the deadlock in the 32nd, set up superbly by Chelsea teammate Kai Havertz but denied by Pickford from short-range from a left angle.

England captain Harry Kane who had another quiet afternoon then almost snatched the lead on the stroke of half-time.

Mueller played a disastrous ball in midfield, Sterling was stopped at the last instance by Matthias Ginter, the ball fell to Kane in the goalmouth but he failed to control it properly and Mats Hummels slid in well to clear.

The second half started like the first and Havertz' stunning volley in the 48th was just tipped over the bar by Pickford.

Wembley finally erupted in the 75th when Sterling tapped in off Luke Shaw's low cross from the left in fluid move which also involved substitute Jack Grealish and Kane for his third goal of the tournament.

Sterling almost turned to villain six minutes later when he passed to Havertz who sent Mueller on his way but the recalled Bayern Munich forward aimed wide right with only Pickford to beat.

But it was all over for Germany and Loew when Kane headed home off Grealish which set off incredible scenes as the dream of a first title since 1966 lives on, while tears flowed on the German side this time around.

“We had a huge chance today to get past a strong team. We failed to take it and are massively disappointed,” Germany captain Manuel Neuer said.