Jordan Henderson declared himself immensely proud of the way England matched a world-class Spain side in a 2-2 draw at Wembley Stadium.
The Liverpool midfielder had a key role in a fine England performance, his pinpoint cross finding Jamie Vardy for England’s second goal.
Adam Lallana had opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Vardy was brought down by Pepe Reina following an incisive ball from the Liverpool midfielder.
And, after man-of-the-match Vardy headed home early on in the second period, interim manager Gareth Southgate looked to have his third win in four games wrapped up.
Spain though, began to click and Iago Aspas’ 89th-minute goal was followed up seven minutes later by an equaliser from Isco.
Yet Henderson, captaining the side in Wayne Rooney’s absence through injury, admitted that despite the disappointment of letting the lead slip, his side could be delighted with their work-rate and threat in front of goal.
“We looked dangerous on the counter attack and I thought for most of the game we defended well, they didn’t have many clear cut chances,” 26-year-old Henderson said.
“To concede two like that late on is disappointing, but we gave everything and we created some good chances in the final third.
“They are a world class team with world class players and I thought we matched them in terms of effort and work rate, as well as looking dangerous on the counter attack and in the final third.
“We are devastated because we put a lot of work into it, I thought we worked really hard throughout the game.
“We will go away and look back on the game, look at the good and the bad and what we need to improve on. Overall we gave everything and you have to give credit to Spain.”
Danny Rose, Jesse Lingard and Raheem Sterling all turned in distinguished performances against Spain, but it was Vardy whose pace made an immediate impact.
The Leicester man latched onto Lallana’s probing ball after eight minutes, leaving Reina little choice but to bring him down.
Lallana left no doubt with his penalty and England continued to threaten throughout the half and it was little surprise when the constantly menacing Vardy was on the end of Henderson’s fine cross just after the break.
And though Spain had the final say through Aspas and Isco, Vardy was full of praise for interim manager Southgate – who he said furnished them with a plan suitable to take on a high-quality outfit.
“Gareth has been brilliant, he hasn’t changed too much, but you can see from our performance that we came with a plan and executed it to the tee," said Vardy.
“Unfortunately it wasn’t to be at the end of the game.”
