England's UEFA Nations League campaign began with a defeat to Spain on Saturday evening.
Marcus Rashford's early goal kept the post-World Cup party alive a little longer but Spain hit back within minutes and went into the break 2-1 ahead.
A serious-looking injury to Luke Shaw dampened the atmosphere after half-time and England struggled to retain the ball and create chances until a late flurry saw a Danny Welbeck goal controversially ruled out for what the referee adjudged to be a foul on David De Gea in the Spanish goal.
Gareth Southgate named Joe Gomez of Liverpool in his starting line-up ahead of Kyle Walker and Shaw also got the nod over Danny Rose, the Manchester United man playing a part in the opening goal but then stretchered off after half-time with a head injury.
Raheem Sterling's absence handed Rashford a start and he missed a great opportunity to double his tally for the evening during England's late surge.
Disappointment in defeat for Southgate and a reminder if one was needed that England continue to struggle against the top-ranked sides in the world but a loss to Spain in a hard-fought fixture with more of an edge than a friendly may be of more benefit to the manager and his players going forward than a routine qualification victory.