England fell to just their second defeat since the World Cup as Roy Hodgson's men lost to a Holland side not even good enough to reach Euro 2016.
Impressive progress has been made since the Three Lions' embarrassing exit in Brazil, including reaching this summer's finals with a 100 per cent record.
However, there was little of the intensity, drive and quality seen in Saturday's remarkable comeback win in Germany as Holland themselves came from behind to win 2-1 at Wembley.
It was a reality check after back-to-back wins over Euro 2016 favourites France and Germany, although Jamie Vardy again impressed and followed up his wonderful flick at the Olympiastadion by finishing a lovely team move.
The in-form Leicester striker looks a shoo-in for the squad named on May 12, when Hodgson faces some difficult decisions.
England boast impressive strength in depth up front but look susceptible at the back, with John Stones' recent poor form compounded by a slip that needed Fraser Forster to come to the rescue.
However, Danny Rose was adjudged to have handled as the move continued and Vincent Janssen scored from the spot, before controversially overpowering substitute Phil Jagielka and crossing for Luciano Narsingh to net the winner.
Hodgson's anger at the goal was as clear as the players', but the England manager will no doubt focus on positives such as Vardy's display and a solid debut from Leicester team-mate Danny Drinkwater.
The midfielder's inclusion was one of eight changes and that appeared to impact the defensive coherence, with Rose fortunate not to concede an early penalty on his second England appearance.
The Tottenham full-back got off with the challenge on Joel Veltman and the hosts attempted to capitalise, with Vardy closed out before he could direct goalwards.
Focus soon turned to the big screens at Wembley where the late Johan Cruyff's image was met by a standing ovation in the 14th minute, having earlier been remembered in a minute's silence that also paid tribute to those caught in the Brussels terror attacks.
The fitting tribute took attention away from the football, with England struggling to find their rhythm and Holland looking most likely to strike the first blow.
Georginio Wijnaldum, one of four Premier League players in the visitors' starting line-up, came closest in the first half for the Dutch, hitting a fine curling strike that was met by a decent Fraser Forster save.
A subdued atmosphere was lifted when Vardy and Daniel Sturridge had efforts following good work down the left by Rose, while Stones had an effort hacked clear.
England were increasing the tempo and, shortly after Ross Barkley went close from the edge of the box, came a great opener.
Adam Lallana collected the ball after Sturridge's dummy and turned brilliantly. The Liverpool attacking midfielder then showed great vision to play through the overlapping Kyle Walker, whose squared ball was powered home by Vardy.
It was a lovely team goal and one that gave England a half-time lead they tried to build on after the break.
Sturridge, making his first England appearance in a year and a half, forced Jeroen Zoet into action, with Lallana then curling wide after an impressive run forwards by Barkley.
That inability to net was soon punished, though.
Stones' slip would have resulted in a goal had Forster not impressively denied Janssen, only for a penalty to be awarded seconds later after Rose handled Narsingh's cross.
Janssen stepped up for the penalty and this time would not be denied, sending the Southampton goalkeeper the wrong way.
Forster did manage to stop the deflected Riechedly Bazoer shot that shortly followed, before Vardy threatened again with a beautiful 25-yard drive that Zoet did well to save.
Theo Walcott was denied by Daley Blind after being found by a fine pass from Stones, with the Arsenal forward darting down the right and firing over soon after.
Danny Blind's side capitalised in the 77th minute, albeit in controversial fashion.
Janssen barged over substitute Jagielka and the officials waved played on, with the striker cutting back for Narsingh to slot home.
The anger was palpable as the players harangued the referee following what proved the decisive blow, with Harry Kane coming closest to levelling.
TWEET OF THE MATCH
"What an astonishing story @vardy7's is. Now go easy and save a few for Leicester." - former England striker and ardent Foxes fan Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker)
MATCH RATINGS
England
Fraser Forster: 7 (out of 10)
Kyle Walker: 7
Chris Smalling: 6
John Stones: 5
Danny Rose: 6
Danny Drinkwater: 7
James Milner: 6
Adam Lallana: 7
Ross Barkley: 6
Jamie Vardy: 7
Daniel Sturridge: 6
Subs:
Nathaniel Clyne (for Rose, 58): 6
Theo Walcott (for Sturridge, 58): 6
Harry Kane (for Lallana, 70): 6
Phil Jagielka (for Smalling, 70): 5
Dele Alli (for Milner, 82): 5
Eric Dier (for Drinkwater, 85): 5
Holland
Jeroen Zoet: 6
Joel Veltman: 6
Jeffrey Bruma: 7
Daley Blind: 7
Jetro Willems: 5
Georginio Wijnaldum: 7
Riechedly Bazoer: 6
Ibrahim Afellay: 6
Memphis Depay: 7
Vincent Janssen: 8
Quincy Promes: 5
Subs:
Luciano Narsingh (for Promes, 37): 8
Patrick van Aanholt (for Willems, 82): 5
Marco van Ginkel (for Bazoer, 79): 6
Jordy Clasie (for Janssen, 90): 5
STAR MAN
Jamie Vardy followed up an impressive performance off the bench in Germany with another goal in another solid all-round display. A constant nuisance, just like he is at Leicester, the striker has now surely secured his place at Euro 2016.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH
Johan Cruyff's death last week sent shockwaves around the footballing world. Those at Wembley paid their respect on Tuesday, holding a minute's silence for the Dutch great and those killed in the Brussels attacks before standing and applauding the former forward in the 14th minute.
VIEW FROM THE BENCH
As the last match before Roy Hodgson has to name his Euro 2016 squad on May 12, the England boss will have been pleased by Danny Drinkwater's debut. It was not an electric first international appearance but was enough to prove he is capable at this level.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
This was the senior team's first outing in Nike's divisive new home kit. "Can't think of a worse England strip" was Gary Lineker's take on England's away ensemble and the home strip was little more popular. Sky blue sleeves and red socks - the question for many supporters was simply 'Why?'.
NEXT UP
England v Turkey, friendly (Sunday, May 22)
Striker Vardy had mixed emotions after scoring in a second successive international but ending up on the losing side at Wembley.
"It's an unbelievable feeling but the result is disappointing," said the Leicester forward, who has scored 19 Premier League goals this season in firing his side to the brink of an unlikely title and boosting his own England chances.
Vardy told ITV: "I have to carry on playing how I have been playing in the league and we will see what happens."
Captain for the night James Milner echoed his England team-mate's frustration.
"We didn't hit the heights we did at the weekend," Milner said.
"Two decisions could have gone the other way for the goals but we don't want to moan about the referee.
"We haven't played well enough to win the game. We had the majority of the possession and pressed well but we didn't do enough with it."
Manager Roy Hodgson was disappointed by the performance.
"I think we were hard done by, I didn't think we deserved to lose the game," he said.
"It was nothing like the performance I was hoping for, we weren't as intensive or inventive as we were on Saturday night and we drifted to defeat.
"We learned a lot. It was important to change the team and give people a chance at Wembley to see what they could do."
Source: PA
