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The revitalisation of England was given a dose of reality after a comprehensive defeat by Euro 2008 champions Spain.

England’s Gabriel Agbonlahor shot just wide but Spain went ahead when David Villa wriggled through John Terry and Phil Jagielka before a clinical finish.

Fernando Llorente powered in a header to confirm Spain’s superiority.

1-0 David Villa 36′

2-0 Llorente 83′

David Beckham came on for his record-equalling 108th England cap and set up Carlton Cole late on but the striker’s effort was cleared off the line.

There was no repeat of the racist abuse some of England’s players endured when these two sides met in 2004 and, instead, the focus could be on the football.

England coach Fabio Capello has made a point of picking players on merit rather than reputation and his stance nearly paid off immediately at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in Seville.