Frank Lampard believes England can take plenty of positives from their 2-0 home defeat by Chile as Roy Hodgson makes his final plans for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
A much-changed Three Lions starting XI - which saw Southampton duo Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez both handed their full senior debuts - were outplayed for long spells by the slick South Americans, who secured victory through two well-taken goals from Barcelona forward Alexis Sanchez, the second coming deep into stoppage time.
Celtic's Fraser Forster was in goal as Chelsea midfielder Lampard, captain for the match, received a commemorative 100th cap.
However, apart from an early header by Manchester United's Phil Jones, England rarely tested flamboyant Real Sociedad keeper Claudio Bravo.
It was a first defeat for Hodgson's England in 2013, but one from which veteran campaigner Lampard feels a lot can be learned.
''We have qualified for Brazil and have to take certain things on the chin, learn from the mistakes, but also look at the fact we created a lot of chances," he said.
''We never like to lose, but they are a top quality opposition with a different style to what we are used to.
''It was a very useful exercise for us."
Lampard felt the debutants had performed well under the circumstances.
''It was a tough game for them to come in and not every international game is like that,'' he said.
''You have to tell them that because not every team will be knocking the ball about like they did and with the goalkeeper distributing it from the back.
''They (new England players) were very bright and sharp.
''Adam had a couple of chances which on another day he would have scored a couple on his debut.
''They deserved their starts and did themselves a lot of credit.''
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere also looked for the positives out of a largely frustrating night against a team which finished behind Argentina and Colombia in the South American qualification group.
''We will learn a lot because they kept the ball well, took it off the keeper and played out from the back, they did not panic when we pressured them, so we can learn from that,'' he said.
''They started well and built on it and it is tough going one behind, especially at home.
''We recovered well and did have some chances. Over the next few days we will look back at it, take those positives and move on.''
Wilshere accepts no one can take their place on the plane to Brazil as given between now and when Hodgson makes his final decision in the spring.
''Every time we go out there everyone is looking to do well and impress the manager, so there are a few players who can take positives from this,'' Wilshere added.
Source: PA
