As international breaks go, it was hardly a classic.
But if the last two matches have given Gareth Southgate anything, he will undoubtedly have more clarity over his plans for Euro 2024 this summer. The fixtures with Brazil and Belgium offered England's fringe stars a final chance to impress at close quarters.
And many - including the likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Jarrod Bowen and Ivan Toney - will feel they've staked a solid claim to be on the plane to Germany. Others, meanwhile, such as Lewis Dunk and Ben Chilwell, will be more concerned of the damage they've done to their own chances, while Cole Palmer didn't even get on the field.
But with less than three months until the Three Lions kick-off their group stage campaign against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, who will be getting the nod from Southgate to start England's opening game? Our Mirror Football reporters have given their verdicts...
John Cross
Gareth Southgate has learned three key points after the friendlies with Brazil and Belgium
First, Harry Kane is absolutely crucial for England. Without him, England’s chances at the Euros drop so significantly. Ivan Toney will surely be the back-up but Kane remains king.
Kobbie Mainoo, in two performances as a substitute against Brazil and man of the match on his first start against Belgium, is ready to go to the Euros and is a genuine option alongside Declan Rice in the heart of midfield, especially if Trent Alexander-Arnold is not ready.
Left-back is such an issue. Can England wait on Luke Shaw? Ben Chilwell just does not look right which is probably down to the fact he has missed so much through injury. Kieran Trippier can play there. Rico Lewis, too. But defence is a real worry.
One final point: Phil Foden has always been key for Southgate. He always plays him when fit. Don’t believe the myth that he doesn't rate him or look to get the best out of him.
My England line-up (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Rice, Mainoo; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Andy Dunn
To state the blindingly obvious, Gareth Southgate has learnt - or, more accurately, been reminded - that if Harry Kane has to miss Euro 2024 for one reason or another, England’s chances of winning it would be slim and none.
Two games without the skipper, a defeat and a draw, two scruffy performances, even though there were slivers of encouragement in the match against Belgium. And it was that match which provided the most significant moments in relation to Southgate’s squad selection for the challenge in Germany.
Ivan Toney not only won and converted a penalty, he won a place at the Euros while Kobbie Mainoo is now surely a shoo-in to fill that Kalvin Phillips-sized hole in Southgate’s thinking. And Jarrod Bowen’s most assured, most threatening game in an England shirt should rubber-stamp his spot in the England manager’s plans.
The negatives for Southgate will be how the lack of central defensive depth was exposed and, of course, how Kane is missed. But there was still reason to be optimistic … and don’t worry, Harry will be there.
(4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Chilwell; Rice, Mainoo, Bellingham; Saka, Kane, Foden
Jeremy Cross
Gareth Southgate has been left with as many questions as answers following a winless international break.
England failed to beat Brazil or Belgium, in what has been a difficult week for the Three Lions boss. He knows he lacks genuine strength in depth at centre-back - and has a huge problem should John Stones or Harry Maguire break down at Euro 2024.
Left-back is also a major headache if Luke Shaw isn't fit in time. He needs to find someone to dovetail with Declan Rice in midfield, but is Conor Gallagher good enough at the highest level? Kobbie Mainoo is, but does he pin his faith in the teenage sensation.
And we know England are not the same team without Harry Kane. Ivan Toney should be the one to provide back-up, while Southgate has some big calls to make when it comes to selecting his wide players.
Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen and Cole Palmer should be picked, but where does this leave the rest?
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Mainoo; Foden, Bellingham, Saka; Kane
Simon Mullock
Phil Foden is a better central attacking midfielder than Jude Bellingham. There, I've said it.
Bellingham's injury-time equaliser against Belgium may have spared the Three Lions a second Wembley defeat in three days, but it was when Foden drifted inside in the second half that Gareth Southgate's team really started to play.
The Manchester City midfielder has to operate behind Harry Kane at the Euros. Bellingham has all the tools to play alongside Declan Rice - with licence to break forward when required.
Southgate must also not overlook the creativity of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool full-back has the temperament and technique to come inside as an auxiliary midfielder.
With Luke Shaw's fitness in question, Kyle Walker can be switched to the left flank, behind James Maddison, who would give England even more quality. Southgate is naturally cautious. But he needs to take the brakes off at the Euros.
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Maguire, Walker; Bellingham, Rice; Saka, Foden, Maddison; Kane
Neil McLeman
England can win Euro 2024 with a full-strength team but they can also look pretty ordinary without crucial players.
But the Belgium draw and performance was much more positive for Gareth Southgate than the Brazil defeat - and offered some alternatives. The positives over the two games for players not yet assured of a place in the squad were Anthony Gordon, Kobbie Mainoo, Jarrod Bowen and Ivan Toney.
The players who could have played their way out were Lewis Dunk, Ben Chilwell, Conor Gallagher and Ollie Watkins. Toney gave the attack focus without the injured Kane. With Bukayo Saka out, Bowen was full of energy and running - and could also cover down the middle.
The reliance on Jordan Pickford is worrying - why was no other keeper given a game?
The other two starting positions up for grabs are the holding midfield role alongside Declan Rice and the other centre-back to partner John Stones. The two are related.
The need to cover the fragile England defence requires a primarily defensive player - Jordan Henderson or Kalvin Phillips if he finds any form - although Mainoo is now an alternative.
It is a shame Trent Alexander-Arnold was not fit and given the chance to stake his claim.
Harry Maguire remains a Southgate favourite though good performances for Bayern Munich ’s Eric Dier against Arsenal in the Champions League could yet force his way back into the reckoning. Jack Grealish and Marcus Rashford should be impact subs but also need to show late club form.
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Trippier; Henderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane
Ryan Taylor
While results were disappointing, Kobbie Mainoo's arrival on the international stage is the biggest takeaway for Gareth Southgate this break.
He's already secured a seat on the plane after such an admirable showing against Belgium.
Ivan Toney may also just have pipped himself ahead of Ollie Watkins, he takes a great penalty, but I don't see how Watkins can be left behind after the season he's had.
I expect Gareth to trial Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield versus Bosnia and Iceland - it's time we started utilising his quality. From what I understand, he was in line to start there against Brazil and Belgium before injury.
Left-back and depth in central defence remains an issue. Lewis Dunk makes too many errors to be trusted. I'd like to see Jarell Quansah get a chance to impress if he continues to perform. An injury to John Stones would prove so damaging.
(4-3-3): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Mainoo, Bellingham; Saka, Foden, Kane
Mike Walters
For all the attacking talent at his disposal further up the pitch, England look about as secure at the back as a chicken run when Colonel Sanders pays a visit.
Left-back is going to be a huge problem for Euro 2024, with doubts about Luke Shaw’s fitness and Ben Chilwell looking short of confidence. Southgate may need to plug the gap by switching Kieran Trippier to the left flank.
In the event of any penalty shoot-outs in Germany this summer, Ivan Toney (30 goals in 32 attempts) must be one of England’s nominated spot-kick marksmen.
Kobbie Mainoo must start Euro 2024 in England’s midfield. Don’t you dare hide him away on the bench.
Fitting Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka, Jarrod Bowen and Cole Palmer into the same squad, let alone the same team, may be as comfortable as squeezing them into the back of a Mini.
The ‘reworked’ Cross of St George on England’s new white shirt is naff and the ‘purple’ away kit is plain bland.
(4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Maguire, Stones, Shaw; Rice, Mainoo; Foden, Bellingham, Maddison; Kane
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