GARETH KEEPS UPBEAT

BEMUSED: Southgate

Southgate. “It is a top-level game and we have controlled long parts of it.

“We had as many attempts as them on goal but in the end it is that ruthless moment that decides the game.

“We’ve had a lot of players go on, a couple of debuts and some really important individual performances for us.”

England were missing injured captain and all-time leading scorer, Harry Kane, who watched from the sideline and will miss the game against Belgium.

His clinical finishing could have made a difference on a night when England had a flurry of good chances.

Anthony Gordon and Ollie Watkins both started, with a chance to show that they can provide a striking threat. Gordon impressed but Watkins missed the best chance of the game.

“Very good,” Southgate said of the pair’s performances. “Anthony was excellent both sides of his game.

“With 15 minutes to go there were lots of changes and I think at that point the crowd were really pleased with the performance.

“Of course when you lose the game it turns negative but we have to keep the context with that.”

Gordon, meanwhile, was thrilled to have made his debut at last.

“It was the best day of my life,” said the Newcastle forward.

“I envisioned it a bit different with a win and a goal. I thought we were the better team but we lacked that cutting edge that they had at the end.

“This is my long-term dream I have had. To achieve it means everything to me.

“I haven’t just envisioned it in the last couple of years, I have imagined it in the garden [as a kid] recreating Wayne Rooney and Steven Gerrard’s goals – it’s just an amazing moment.

“We have to find a way of killing teams and putting them to the sword when we get the chance.”