England captain Jordan Henderson was downcast after two late goals from Spain denied victory to Gareth Southgate’s side.
However the Liverpool midfielder insisted there were plenty of positive to be taken from a match that seemed set to end in victory.
In the 88th minute England led 2-0 thanks to a first-half penalty by Adam Lallana and a Jamie Vardy header but substitutes Iago Aspas and Isco capitalised on poor defending to secure a draw for the visitors.
It was a harsh result for England, who had looked the better side for the majority of the match only to be given a harsh reality check by one of Europe’s top sides. And Henderson looked to focus on the positives after going so close to claiming victory at Wembley.
“I thought we worked really hard so to concede two goals so late on is really disappointing,” Henderson told ITV. “We gave everything. We created chances and looked dangerous on the counter, they didn't create many chances.
“We matched Spain in terms of work rate and effort, there were a lot of good things. But to reflect on that so soon after conceding those goals is hard.”
Victory would have provided interim manager Southgate with the perfect end to his temporary reign, though he is still expected to be handed the job in the coming weeks.
Vardy’s second half strike seemed to have secured his manager just the result he would need to prove his credentials to the Football Association but, despite the disappointment of a victory spurned, the Leicester striker praised the impact Southgate has made.
“He has been brilliant,” Vardy said. “He has not changed too much but you have seen in the performance that we came with a plan. It was not to be at the end of the game.”
