Home truths for Capello

FABIO CAPELLO travelled to Qatar in the hope of learning new things about his England squad. In the event, defeat in the Gulf merely underlined well-established truths.

The first is that England’s second string are not equipped to help the country win the World Cup in South Africa next year; the second is that Brazil are the country to fear next summer.

Throughout his largely impressive reign, Capello has continually stressed his admiration for Spain, having seen the Euro 2008 winners put England to the sword in Seville earlier this year, when the passing of Andres Iniesta, Xavi and Xabi Alonso left them bemused and bewildered.