TheFA.com's Insider reflects on England's World Cup send-off at Wembley.

England's final game at Wembley before heading to South Africa, an important test against a feisty Mexican side, and one which we came through strongly.

True, there are things that can be worked upon when the squad travel back to their base in Irdning, but as Fabio Capello said after the game the most important performance is on 12 June. Everything that is being done now is preparation for that game.

We landed back at Heathrow on Sunday in glorious sunshine and arrived at the familiar team base of the Grove in time for dinner, with some formalities to go through ahead of the World Cup.

The players and staff all had a final check on suits ahead of the trip to South Africa next Wednesday, ensuring any alterations could be made prior to meeting up together on 2 June.

The FA Cup Final quintet of John Terry, Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and David James had a light session on Monday morning while the rest of the squad had a stretching session, as is familiar on matchdays.

After a team meeting and prior to lunch, Stuart Pearce took some time out to speak to the British Forces TV channel about the Tickets For Troops international, and just what the armed forces mean to him and the rest of the England squad. Stuart admitted that were it not for football he would have pursued a career in the military, and spoke of his enormous respect for those individuals who put their lives on the line to uphold the freedom of everyone in this country.

After the customary pre-match meal, the team set off for Wembley at 5.45pm with those players now aware who was playing. A first game for Ledley King in three years, and a second start for Aston Villa midfielder James Milner.

A number of the players, including David Beckham who had joined the team in the afternoon, commented positively on the match programme. If you weren't able to get a copy on Monday evening, you can buy it online here.

Something also worth noting is the giant cross of St. George formed by the crowd with the red and white t-shirts that were on every seat. It added to the electric atmosphere at kick off and was quite a spectacle to see almost the entire crowd wearing them.

The game was exciting, Mexico showing the qualities that have got them to the World Cup this summer, adept in possession and tigerish in the tackle. England edged in front with a goal from the returning King, a well worked set piece involving Gerrard and Crouch, then the Tottenham forward was in the right place to grab his 21st goal in 38 games after Perez had denied Wayne Rooney with a superb header.

West Ham forward Franco halved the deficit on the stroke of half-time, but man-of-the-match Glen Johnson produced a stunning left-footed strike after the interval to restore the two-goal advantage. A first international goal for Johnson, few will forget it.

Fittingly for the final game prior to the World Cup, the squad applauded the fans in a lap of honour after the final whistle, 88,638 was the attendance - quite incredible, and it goes to show the passion amongst England supporters to get behind the team.

The dressing room clicks into gear post match with the masseurs and physios attending to any tired legs, making sure they are ready for the next challenge. Once showered and changed the players then emerge into the throng of media who all want to get instant reaction to what has happened, and look ahead to the next match with Japan on Sunday 30 May.

With England returning to our training camp in the Austrian mountains on Wednesday, post match is the final chance the media will have to speak to the players until the weekend.

As well as assisting our broadcast rights holders ITV and Radio Five Live with players, we also service the other TV broadcasters, daily and Sunday newspapers in the mixed zone. It's difficult to appropriately describe this area, but when you see or read England players reacting to the game this week - that's where they will have said it.

FATV also spoke to Glen Johnson and Adam Johnson, you can see those videos here.

Once through the media, the squad join their families in the player’s lounge, an important moment having been away for over a week. They will also have Tuesday to spend some time with their loved ones before returning to duty on Wednesday lunchtime for the return journey to Austria.

That covers most of what has happened so far. Any questions about anything just ask and I will do what I can to answer them.

Stuart Mawhinney