England slumped to their first defeat in 16 games as they were comfortably beaten by Spain in Alicante.
Roy Hodgson’s side breezed through their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign with 10 straight wins – but this friendly was a reality check as their flaws were exposed by the reigning champions.
England held out for 72 minutes until Mario scored with a superb acrobatic finish from Cesc Fabregas’ cross before Arsenal’s Santi Cazorla slotted in a late second.
It was a harsh lesson for England and evidence of the gap they must bridge before France next summer, their misery increasing when Michael Carrick was taken off on a stretcher in stoppage time.
England emerged from this friendly, against significantly tougher opposition than any they faced in their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, with little credit.
Spain looked a class above an experimental line-up and at times England looked in awe, sitting back as the passing ‘carousel’ constructed by players of the pedigree of Andres Iniesta and Sergio Busquets weaved its way around them.
If England can take something away from this defeat, it is that this was a brutal example of what they need to overcome if they hope to make an impact at the sharp end of next summer’s European Championship.
While mistakes may go unpunished against the likes of Lithuania, San Marino and Estonia, there is no margin for error when they face a team of the calibre of Spain.
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Source: BBC