The first of this autumn's two NFL encounters at Twickenham promised to be a mouthwatering encounter between the LA Rams and the Arizona Cardinals, but ended up being a glory night for the Rams and an occasion to forget for their opponents.
By the end of the match the score was a crushing 33-0, an emphatic triumph for a Rams side that got stronger as the contest wore on, their powerful running game proving more than the Cardinals could handle.
Early on, however, the game was tight. A Greg Zuerlein field goal was the only score of the first quarter and it was from his boot that the score was doubled in the second.
However, the progress being made by the Rams rushing attack finally paid off with a stunning break by Todd Gurley down the right flank that saw him beat four men to reach the end zone.
If that was a blow to the Cardinals, it soon got worse as Carson Palmer went down with an injury to his left arm that forced him out of the game. It was later revealed to be a fracture that will keep him out for around eight weeks.
Desperately needing to get through to half time without any further blows, the Cardinals were rowing hard against the tide by this stage and the Rams sensed blood.
Gurley made another lengthy burst down the flank to set up the play from which Jared Goff burst through the middle to score. Then, when it seemed matters could not get any worse for Arizona, Palmer's replacement Drew Stanton threw a wayward interception in the closing seconds of the quarter and the Rams set up another field goal by Zuerlein.
The game was just about won by now and the only question was whether the Rams could manage a shutout. They not only managed that, but added to the score with Zuerlein's fourth field goal in the third quarter and a late touchdown by rookie Cooper Kupp, who Goff found with an 18-yard dart before he danced through the gap to score.
It was an emphatic statement by the Rams, who with a five and two record are now leading the NFC West and have a shot at reaching the playoffs.
Fans booking corporate hospitality for the second Twickenham encounter, taking place next Saturday (October 29th) between the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns, may have had their appetites well and truly whetted by the three games that have already taken place in London this autumn.
Minnesota will definitely go into the game in the better frame of mind after beating Baltimore Ravens 24-16. Latavius Murray was the star of the show, scoring a touchdown and racking up over 100 yards in the game, while Kai Forbath impressed with a career-best six field goals.
Their defence was also impressive, with Ravens' quarterback Joe Flacco sacked five times in the match, although he did manage the successful pass for a late consolation touchdown by Chris Moore.
The Cleveland Browns will be hoping to bounce back in London after losing 12-9 to Tennessee Titans in overtime. They currently sit at 0-7, having won only two of their last 28 games.
Image: Getty, from Keith Prowse