It is not a new phenomenon: an England team provide plenty of commitment and huff-and-puff but fall slightly short against world-class opponents. Steve McClaren, the head coach, will have woken to plenty of disparaging headlines today, but the performance was far from disastrous.

England lost focus as the match wore on, but it seemed as if they had more bodies in the opposition penalty area in the first ten minutes than they managed in the whole of last year’s World Cup finals.

It was encouraging to see England progress in numbers, which is essential in a 4-3-3 formation if the centre forward is not to be left isolated, as happened so often in Germany last summer. Kieron Dyer and Shaun Wright-Phillips made some bright runs with Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard bursting forward to join them: positive stuff. Rio Ferdinand even joined the attack early in the second half.

Why not, because this is a mobile England team with plenty of running. It was pleasing to see Spain pulled around for spells — and we should not forget, either, what a talented team Spain are, full of skilful players with excellent technique.

Their partnership is always under scrutiny, but Gerrard and Lampard worked well enough together. The Liverpool man benefited from being given the freedom to attack. Too often under Sven-Göran Eriksson, the former head coach, he was shackled, but last night he showed what he can do with a free rein: pinpoint passing and powerful athleticism.

Concerns? Jonathan Woodgate does not have the iron legs of some of his team-mates, perhaps because of his injury problems, although he compensates by looking comfortable on the ball. But when an opponent is one-on-one against him, it is a worry.

Also, Wright-Phillips is too erratic. His technique is brilliant one moment, awful the next, and he loses the ball too often. You cannot afford to be so inconsistent at the highest level. Not only does he give the ball away, his hit-and-miss nature makes Gerrard and Lampard cautious about committing themselves forward — they wonder if they will be caught out when the Chelsea winger gives away possession.

Coming up short, technically, is at the root of England’s problem. They do everything in a rush. Michael Carrick does have that calm European quality about him. He has technique and guile, like the Spanish. However, I wish he would take matches by the scruff of the neck. Too often he looks as if he is cruising when he is good enough to be dictating play.

Still, we should not be too downcast. There is plenty to be done, but at least England are rediscovering their sense of adventure. Friendlies are one thing, though; will they be as bold under pressure in meaningful matches?