The England manager praised Parker's "incredible influence" and his improvement with every game at the top level, but he also singled out his juniors, including Parker's clubmate, Kyle Walker who made his senior international debut as his replacement on 85 minutes.

Capello said: "Playing against Spain is very very difficult for us. The quality of Spain's players is fantastic."

Of the win, he said: "I think it's important for the squad to find confidence, it's important for the crowd, for the fans.

But, for me, the most important thing I saw this evening was the performance of (Jack) Rodwell… the performance of (Phil) Jones, the performance of (Danny) Welbeck, really, really good young players .

I saw also Walker, when he played he was immediately on the game.

I think these players will be really important for the next Euros.

"I saw they played without fear and with personality on the pitch and physically and technically I consider they are good…"

With the exception of Jones, the young players he singled out had come on as second-half replacements and arguably they did make a difference as England upped the energy levels.

The first half had seen Spain dominate possession and it took to the 30-minute mark before Lampard tested the Real keeper Iker Casillas with a long shot.

Spain's captain, making a record-equalling 126th appearance for his country, parried it with ease.

England had posed little threat to that point yet neither had they been seriously threatened at the back.

David Silva had been lively up front and Sergio Busquets could have done better with a floated cross after a short corner on 35 minutes.

James Milner was booked for a foul on Sergio Ramos as the half drew to a close, but Ramos could easily have received the same punishment for a cynical block of Arsenal's Theo Walcott a moment or two earlier.

Walcott had stretched the Spanish defence on a number of occasions, linking well with Glen Johnson.

So too had Milner and Ashley Cole on the other side, but too often the final ball lacked quality.

The break saw Walcott miss the clash with his former Arsenal clubmate, Cesc Fabregas, because as he went off, the Spaniard came on to start the second half as a replacement for Xavi.

England's goal came as Darren Bent, who had struggled up front, rose well to meet Milner's free kick to see his header bounce back across replacement keeper Pepe Reina's goal and fall neatly for Lampard to score.

The timing gave the half its urgency and was the cue for England's defenders to throw everything at their task.

As Spain upped the tempo, the chances came but they, too, failed to capitalise.

Ramos and Fabregas duly picked up yellows.

David Villa hit the post, and Fabregas's frustrating night culminated with two missed chances at the end.

On 86 minutes his shot on the turn was deflected slightly by Phil Jagielka but well saved by keeper Joe Hart.

Moments later he had the chance to slot the ball past Hart, who seemed helpless, but the ball slipped a long way past the left hand post.

England will be celebrating this one, but must now focus on the game against Sweden on Tuesday.

 

England: Hart, Johnson G,  Cole A, Jones P, Jagielka, Lescott, Walcott, Parker, Bent, Lampard, Milner.
Subs used: Walker Barry, Rodwell, Johnson A, Downing, Welbeck.

Spain: Casillas, Pique, Iniesta, Villa, Xavi, Alonso, Ramos, Busquets, Arbeloa, Alba, Silva.
Subs used: Reina, Puyol, Torres, Fabregas, Mata, Cazorla.

 

Referee: Frank de Bleeckere, Belgium.

Attendance: 87,189
Goal: England: Frank Lampard 49 minutes