Gareth Southgate’s first game in permanent charge of England ended in a 1-0 defeat to world champions Germany in Dortmund on Wednesday night.

The 46-year-old took over from Sam Allardyce as caretaker boss back in September, and led the Three Lions to two wins and two draws in his four games in interim charge before securing the job on a permanent basis in November.

However, his first game ended in defeat as a Lukas Podolski strike 21 minutes from time secured Joachim Low’s men the win on Wednesday night, in what was the 31-year-old’s final game for his country after announcing his retirement after Euro 2016.

The former Bayern Munich and Arsenal man was given a standing ovation when he left the field six minutes from time, and no wonder, not just for his services to German football over the last 13 years, but his goal was sensational, firing a 25-yard stunner past the helpless Joe Hart to down Southgate’s England.

The Three Lions produced an encouraging display, with Adam Lallana and Dele Alli impressive, although both were guilty of missing golden chances in the first half, with Lallana hitting the post when through on goal, while Alli was well denied by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

In what was an exciting clash on Wednesday, here is What’s Hot and What’s Not as Germany overcame England in Dortmund…

HOT – Lukas Podolski

It was a fairytale ending to a stunning international career for Germany’s Lukas Podolski on Wednesday night.

The 31-year-old announced after Euro 2016 that he would be retiring from international football, in which time he helped Joachim Low’s side win the World Cup in 2014, as well as reach the final of Euro 2008.

However, he was given one last hurrah against England on Wednesday, and produced a stunning goal to cap a wonderful career in a Germany shirt, firing a 25-yard thunderbolt past the helpless Joe Hart to seal the win for the hosts.

Podolski then got a standing ovation from both sets of supporters when he was withdrawn six minutes from time, bringing to an end an international career spanning 13 years, in which time he earned 130 caps, and scored 49 goals.

NOT – England’s clinical edge in final third

Several England supporters were rightly encouraged by their side’s performance in Dortmund on Wednesday, although their clinical edge in the final third remains an obvious concern.

For all of their endeavour and domination in the first half, they didn’t have a goal to show for it, with Adam Lallana striking the post, and Dele Alli seeing his one-on-one effort well saved by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Although Lallana couldn’t have done much more, and Alli was well thwarted by the Barcelona goalkeeper, England needed to score when they were on top, and these two opportunities were golden ones.

England aren’t going to beat the top sides in world football without taking their chances when they are presented to them – Wednesday night was another clear indication of that.

HOT – Overall England display

Overall though, England produced an encouraging display against the world champions on Wednesday night, even if the hosts were weakened by injuries and the game had a testimonial-like feel to it.

The bold system Southgate employed worked particularly well, with both wing-backs bright in offensive and defensive areas, while Eric Dier and West Brom’s Jake Livermore did well in the midfield.

Michael Keane’s international debut was excellent, he looked calm and composed throughout, while the displays of Lallana and Alli will give England fans much hope about where the squad are heading under new manager Southgate.

Ultimately, England lost the game, but there were several positives from Wednesday’s performance to take forward into the next few years under the former Middlesbrough boss.

NOT – Germany’s first half performance

For how well England played in the first half, they were certainly helped by the Germans.

Joachim Low’s side were hopeless in the opening period, repeatedly mis-placing passes and struggling to string more than three or four together.

Defensively, they didn’t look particularly comfortable either, with both Lallana and Alli finding acres of space in the final third, although not punishing the world champions.

Granted, Germany had several players missing due to injury, but their first half display was not what many expected of the 2014 World Cup winners, although they did improve and ultimately got the winner in the second period.