England let slip a two-goal lead with just a few minutes to play to end up drawing 2-2 with Spain at Wembley on Tuesday night.
Gareth Southgate’s final game in temporary charge got off to an excellent start when Jamie Vardy was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Pepe Reina, allowing Adam Lallana to step up and slot home the penalty.
The hosts then doubled their lead three minutes into the second-half when striker Vardy, who had gone 14 games without scoring for club and country, headed home a superb Jordan Henderson cross.
Substitute Theo Walcott, who came on for the injured Lallana in the first-half, had a chance to make it 3-0, but his effort was well saved by Reina, and that miss came back to bite England as Liverpool flop Iago Aspas finished brilliantly past Tom Heaton in the final minute of normal time.
As the clock ticked down, it looked like England were going to hold on for a fine victory, but Real Madrid’s Isco fired home in the sixth minute of added time to salvage a draw for the visitors.
The result means that Southgate’s four-game stint in temporary charge comes to a close, but two wins and two draws in that time means he is the heavy favourite to land the job on a permanent basis.
Unsurprisingly, some England fans took to Twitter to lament a frustrating result, but many were encouraged by a decent performance from the Three Lions…
Shame about result but thought #England looked promising again tonight. Stability needed now, for team + manager. #InSouthgateWeTrust #ENG
— Lawrence Quilty (@LawrenceQuilty) November 15, 2016
Thought England played a lot better then they have in a long time tonight despite the result to be honest it was actually watchable
— Juggs (@JoeDallow1996) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/TomDerrick2/status/798666226083844096
Many supporters also believe that Southgate should be given the job permanently…
Despite last nights result I still believe Gareth Southgate would be the right man for the job and I hope he gets the opportunity #England
— Sam Barham (@Sam_Barham) November 16, 2016
Despite result give #Southgate a go, I thought he got it right tonight #ENGESP #eng @England #friendly 🇬🇧⚽️🇪🇸
— Mr__Fitz!! (@Fitzy__1986) November 15, 2016
I actually quite like Southgate as England Manager. He's got passion and loves England. Reckon the FA should give him the job.
— Ally Steele (@Ally_S) November 16, 2016
I hope that Gareth Southgate gets the England job. Honest, sincere, credible, good football knowledge plus he has done well #England
— Dean (@CuriousdeanJ) November 15, 2016
… yet some are still unconvinced that he has what it takes to lead his country…
Southgate should NOT get the job. He has picked the same England sqaud as the previous managers have, had lucky wins, played poor. #ENGESP
— Liam (@Liamrive) November 16, 2016
Snatch a draw from the jaws of victory. That's why Southgate isn't the man. He'll get the job though. @FA "Yes" man as always. Boring.
— Ash (@AJayS319) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/Simon_Zohhadi/status/798809080139640833
And some fans singled out Lallana for praise after a fine cameo before his injury, recognising his importance to both his club and country…
That ball from Adam Lallana for @England's first goal was ridiculously good 👏🏻
— Gavin Saville (@gavsav_) November 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/iamdeadhappy/status/798671256245694464
Adam Lallana has arguably been England's best player this season. Become a huge player for both LFC and England
— Dale (@DaleAC93) November 15, 2016