"They did a great job out there," said a delighted Sven Goran Eriksson.

"If you take away the first 20 minutes, I think we played some very good football. It was my first match and it's been marvellous to see," said Eriksson.

"Spain are a very good team and it's not easy to control the game and create a lot of opportunities, but I'm happy with what the players did - it was a very good performance."

Eriksson's first captain David Beckham admitted he was warming to the idea of the role after a stout performance in a week in which he had earlier questioned his own credentials to receive the leading role.

"I talked a little bit more on the pitch than I usually do but the lads showed out there that we can play good football and score good goals," Beckham said.

"I think the first 20 minutes we sat off them a little bit too much and they were playing the ball around. Once we pushed on and got the goal we settled down and played some good football - and in the second half after all the changes we played some great stuff too."

One of England's major pluses was shock call-up Chris Powell (31), who particularly impressed at left-back before his enforced substitution at half-time due to a calf strain.

Powell said: "It's something I'll never forget - it was exhilarating being out there."