Phil Foden had a goal disallowed for offside soon after the break – but England struggled to get any control of the game following that opportunity.
Joe Hart was England’s goalkeeper for that Iceland upset eight years ago and, after retiring from playing this summer, was watching the game for BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I can relate to this,” said the ex-Manchester City and Celtic player. “It is not a nice feeling. I was there in 2016. As a team, and as players, you are just hoping for one more chance.”
There was one more chance.
In the fifth minute of added time, Real Madrid star Bellingham scored England’s latest-ever goal at a major tournament (excluding extra time) – with a remarkable overhead kick from near the edge of the box.
“He looked dead on his feet and then, after he had scored, he was pressing at the start of extra time,” said ex-England defender Matt Upson on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“He scored a crucial header in the first game [against Serbia] and that was a clutch moment for England there.
“I don’t think you can change these performances now. We are relying on moments of brilliance.”
Former England midfielder Danny Murphy, added on BBC One: “There was spirit, resilience and fight but lets give it the reality it deserves. It was a surprisingly poor performance, especially creatively.
“We are very lucky because we are blessed with one of the best players in the world and he produced a goal very few are capable of doing. He saved a lot of players from a lot of criticism.”
That goal was England’s first shot on target. Their second came 50 seconds into extra time when their all-time top scorer Kane headed in.
There were no more. They seemed to go back into their shell and were hanging on at the end at Schalke’s ground.
Hart added: “It is such a shame when you can see them be so dominant but when they go ahead they just become so cautious.
“Let’s cash in the get-out-of-jail-free card and build on it.
“I expect when we have won, for the hairs to stand up on my neck and I just don’t feel like that. I feel like I should be buzzing. It’s going to have to be a huge improvement to get anything out of the Switzerland game on Saturday.”
England fans, as they do, sang Sweet Caroline afterwards as the England players and Southgate went over to thank them for their support.
Some of them may have been among those filmed outside the ground after 90 minutes, before running back in when news of Bellingham’s goal broke.
“Sweet Caroline doesn’t sound very sweet,” said former England right-back Neville.
“Relief is the word of the day and we should thank our lucky stars. We were woeful and we have been woeful for four games.”
Former Arsenal and England defender Martin Keown called it “one of the most remarkable England games and performances I’ve seen”.
“They were on their way home and then two goals in two minutes,” he added. “We were hanging on but we’re still in there with a shout.”
