Sven Goran Eriksson's first game as England manager offered many more plusses than minuses, but only 22 players can make the next squad.
And what of the injured and unavailable players missing against Spain? Will they be able to stake a claim in future England line-ups?
Here, BBC Sport Online groups Eriksson's options into four distinct categories.
Captain David Beckham leads 11 players who we reckon are Nailed On for a place in Eriksson's future squads.
Then there are The Likely Lads, 11 more players destined to figure, though not certain of a place.
A whacking 17 names slot into our Point to Prove category, including young uncapped players and those denied the chance to catch Eriksson's eye due to injury or unavailability.
Finally, the six men overstaying their welcome at the England bar. Time gentlemen, please lists those for whom the Eriksson bell may have tolled.
The likely lads
Point to prove
Time gentlemen, please
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David James - Aston Villa
Andy Cole just needs a goal for England
Recalled by Howard Wilkinson in Italy and kept on by Eriksson, James finally appears to have got a grip on his England gloves. Confidence has returned and Eriksson sees no reason to drop him.
Nigel Martyn - Leeds
Still backed as England's number one by many, he saved a penalty against Spain and looks to have put the nightmare of the Euro 2000 defeat to Romania behind him.
Sol Campbell - Spurs
One of only four players to get 90 minutes against Spain, there will be no shifting Spurs' silky defender now. A long England career, potentially as captain, beckons for Sol.
Rio Ferdinand - Leeds United
Looked comfortable in his partnership with Campbell as his club form continued at international level. Continues to justify the rputation which prompted David O'Leary to shell out £18m to West Ham for his services.
Rio Ferdinand is in fine form for club and country
Gary Neville - Manchester United
Still his his critics but is one of the most experienced players in the England squad. In fine form for his club and Eriksson needs reliability.
Nick Barmby - Liverpool
Man of the match against Spain and has the distinction of scoring the first goal of Eriksson's reign. Also achieved that feat under Glenn Hoddle, who promptly dropped him. Barmby is now making up for lost time.
David Beckham - Manchester United
Had a quiet 45 minutes against Spain but his place is already safe. Has done nothing wrong as captain, though may have to eventually conced that role to Sol Campbell. Still England's most gifted player.
Paul Scholes - Manchester United
Got off his sick bed to team up with Eriksson's first squad. England's most prolific goalscoring midfielder and a real threat against any opposition.
Andy Cole - Manchester United
Played as a lone striker in Eriksson's first game, with Michael Owen playing just behind him. Looked sharp and pulled off one amazing turn to leave the Spanish defence trailing. Still to claim his first international goal though.
Michael Owen - Liverpool
Getting closer to full fitness with every game. Looked sharp in the "hole" between midfield and lone striker Cole and teed up Nick Barmby's opener. Still to fulfill his massive potential.
Emile Heskey - Liverpool
Came on as substitute to claim his second international goal and looked a huge threat, despite operating in an unfamiliar role wide on the right. Big and dangerous, he makes things happen for club and country.
The likely lads
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Wes Brown - Manchester United
Chris Powell shone on his debut
Never got the chance to impress Eriksson on Wednesday but looks certain to feature prominently in future squads. Looks comfortable at right back or in the middlle of defence. His chance will surely come.
Ugo Ehiogu - Middlesbrough
Put the seal on England's win over Spain with his first international goal. His substitute appearance saw him win his second cap nearly five years after claiming his first. Could be more to come.
Phil Neville - Manchester United
A surprise starter against Spain, he filled the right back berth before handing duties over to his brother. Confident in an England shirt but has more rivals than ever for a full-back spot.
Chris Powell - Charlton
Won his first cap at the age of 31 and never looked out of place. Played the entire first half with a smile on his face before reluctantly giving way due to a calf strain. No reason why he won't return
Nicky Butt - Manchester United
Played the holding role for England, working in tandem with United team-mates Beckham and Scholes. A tigerish tackler, he is sure to win more caps in the future.
Kieron Dyer - Newcastle
Injury ruled him out against Spain and possible surgery means he is likely to miss the rest of the season. Surely has an England future, but will have to wait.
Frank Lampard - West Ham
Waited a long time for his second England cap, but looked assured as a half-time replacement for Butt. Went close with a long-range effort within moments of coming on, but has at least now matched the caps total of his father.
Steven Gerrard must stay fit for England
Steve McManaman - Real Madrid
Another injury victim, he still has valid claims for a role on the left flank. Has won the Spanish fans over with some fine displays and can do the same at international level.
Steven Gerrard - Liverpool
Would slot straight into the "nailed on" section if it were not for injuries. Every time an England game comes on the horizon, Gerrard collapses onto the treatment table. Should be a future England captain, but a haul of just two caps is a woeful return for a player of his class.
Robbie Fowler - Liverpool
Man of the match in Liverpool's Worthington Cup triumph but got no airtime against Spain. Saw his fellow Liverpool strikers Heskey and Owen edge ahead of him in the England pecking order with assured displays, but his finishing surely guarantees him an England future.
Teddy Sheringham - Manchester United
A valuable member of the squad, whether he plays or not. Age is not on his side, but form is as Sheringham is among the leading scorers in the Premiership. A vintage star who seems to improve with age.
Point to Prove
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Richard Wright - Ipswich
Richard Wright has stiff competition
Only one cap to his name but still has time on his side. One of a clutch of talented young English keepers, he may have to wait patiently for the chance to prove himself.
Michael Ball - Everton
Looked remarkably composed after coming on to win his first cap on Wednesday. Playing in the centre of defence for his club but took up the left back position under Eriksson, who can't fail to have been impressed.
Jamie Carragher - Liverpool
Another versatile player who has graduated from the under 21 side. May not make the final 22 for March's World Cup double header, but that will not rule him out of contention for future squads.
Ashley Cole - Arsenal
Has dazzled for Asrenal as Silvinho's deputy but did not get the expected call against Spain. His Sunday roasting at the hands of Manchester United may not have helped, but Cole looks to have a long England future ahead of him.
Joe Cole - West Ham
A niggling injury deprived Cole of his first international cap, but it seems inconceivable that he will have to wait much longer. Eriksson may well ease him into the squad gently, but Cole has a big part to play in England's future.
Michael Carrick - West Ham
Like his Upton Park club-mate, Carrick missed the Spain game due to injury. Has made a rapid rise to stardom and Eriksson will be wary of rushing him in.
Gavin McCann - Sunderland
Won his first cap against Spain after an impressive season at club level. Looked understandably nervous and gave the ball away too often, but his good moments could still ensure a second chance. Unlikely to make final 22 for Finland and Albania.
Ray Parlour - Arsenal
Another midfielder to miss out through injury, Parlour still has a point to prove to Eriksson. The new England coach has been impressed with Parlour at club level, though, and looks set to recall Parlour next time round.
Gareth Barry - Aston Villa
Was gutted to be asked to drop back into the Under 21s and hardly justified his claims for a recall with an indifferent performance in the mauling at the hands of young Spain.
Kevin Phillips - Sunderland
Still waiting patiently for his chance but could be set to become a world-class bench warmer. Prolific at club level, unproven as an international.
Michael Gray - Sunderland
Watched on several occasions by Eriksson and Tord Grip, but still failed to make the 31-man squad against Spain. England were woefully short of left-sided options a year ago but suddenly seem to have unearthed a string of contenders.
Paul Robinson - Leeds United
Outstanding as a deputy for Martyn at Leeds earlier this season, but has been confined to the bench again following Martyn's recovery from injury. No chance of an England call unless he is playing regularly.
Gareth Southgate has played under three managers
Gareth Southgate - Aston Villa
Accomplished midfielder who was a regular under three previous England managers. Injury robbed him of the chance to win a cap on his own ground on Wednesday and would have had mixed emotions at the impressive performances of England's young defenders.
John Terry - Chelsea
Won a call-up to the Under 21 side after a series of impressive performances at club level. Struggled against a rampant Spanish side and may have to wait for his chance at senior level.
Alan Smith - Leeds United
Emerging as one of England's most exciting young strikers and has much more to his game than simply scoring goals. Work rate and all-round abilities could be enough to put him ahead of the likes of Phillips, but still has a long queue to jump.
Jonathan Woodgate - Leeds United
An FA ban on his inclusion in the England squad while he fights a court case has robbed Woodgate of the chance to stake a claim at international level. Ready and willing, just not able to take a place yet.
Lee Bowyer - Leeds United
Like Woodgate, he is in England exile at the moment. But for the ban, would surely be a certainty, given his ability to unlock most defensive doors.
Time gentlemen, please
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The bell has tolled for Le Saux
David Seaman - Arsenal
Still a fine goalkeeper - world class even - at his best. But the errors are creeping into his game and a talented crop of youngsters are forming an orderly queue behind him. Failed to make the bench against Spain.
Darren Anderton - Spurs
A gifted wide player capable of turning a game on his day. But he's more likely to turn an ankle these days and Eriksson can't gamble on his fitness. The sicknote won't be required this time, Darren.
Graeme Le Saux - Chelsea
Another player whose career has been wrecked by injury. Suffered a setback on his club comeback recently and looks unlikely to regain consistent fitness needed to be reliable at international level.
Martin Keown - Arsenal
Outstanding at Euro 2000 but age and injuries are going against him. With so many rising stars at the centre of England's defence, his most realistic chance of an England return could be in a coaching capacity.
Paul Ince - Middlesbrough
With a mini-crisis in midfield for Eriksson's squad and still no call for the veteran midfielder, it looks as though Ince's fine international career is at an end.
Dennis Wise - Chelsea
For Wise, read Ince. The Chelsea midfielder is still in fine form for his club, but surely the call would have come against Spain if Dennis the Mennace still had an international future?
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