And so it turns out it takes more than two players with Spanish names and Spanish blood to bring England up to speed with the subtleties of the Latin game.

Here was a sobering reminder that decent results against Montenegro and Poland will not alone equip Roy Hodgson’s team for the tests which lie ahead in Brazil.

In-form Chile arrived at Wembley with an admirable attitude towards a friendly and tested England with a different style, which they found difficult to fathom.

Star of the show: Alexis Sanchez scored both goals as Chile eased to a comfortable win over England

As the frustration ate away, Gary Cahill resorted to booting them up in the air at one point but this was a reality check, even with the mitigating circumstances of an experimental team.

And perhaps, that will not be considered a bad thing by the manager.

Alexis Sanchez scored the opening goal on seven minutes, and Hodgson spent most of the first half  hopping around his technical area with steam coming out of his ears.

England were open at the back, painfully vulnerable to the slick touches and movement of their opponents and devoid of the threat in attack they had last month.

Adam Lallana appeared quite comfortable amid the different rhythms of international football, until he limped off after seeming to injure his groin. His Southampton team-mate Jay Rodriguez looked further from his comfort zone.

England improved after half-an-hour but found it difficult to bring Wayne Rooney into the game.

Winner: Sanchez headed the visitors in front after seven minutes, leaving debutant Fraser Forster stranded

The Chileans brought pace, width, fluency and a dash of World Cup flavour to Wembley, as did Sir Geoff Hurst, who presented Frank Lampard with his Gold Cap before  kick-off. It was auditions night, as Hodgson had pointed out on the eve of the game, and as the captain accepted his award for passing a century of appearances, the manager handed out three debut caps.

In goal was Fraser Forster, as Hodgson attempted to learn from one of Fabio Capello’s mistakes. Capello did not search for goalkeeping alternatives before South Africa in 2010 and landed the team in crisis when Rob Green blundered in the opening game.

Forster’s kicking was under  scrutiny and it did prove to be inconsistent but he was soon picking the ball out of his net as Alexis Sanchez scored his seventh goal in seven games for Chile.Sanchez stooped to beat Leighton Baines to a fine cross by Eugenio Mena and head it past Forster, and Ashley Cole may have enjoyed a ripple of satisfaction as he  hunkered down on the bench.

Special moment: Frank Lampard receives a golden cap from his dad to mark his 100th apperance

Reports of Cole’s demise as England’s first-choice left back could yet prove premature.

Baines has been in better form in the last 12 months and adds another dimension in an attacking sense. It was his sublime free-kick which presented Phil Jones with an early chance, which he met with a firm header, only to be denied by an acrobatic Claudio Bravo save.

But it was also Baines who was caught flat-footed defending the last man on Mena’s cross from the left, although his may have been the final mistake, but it certainly was not the only one.

Frustrated: England manager Roy Hodgson can't hide his annoyance as his side struggle against Chile

Forster saved from Jean Beausejour as England wobbled, missing the steadying influence of Phil  Jagielka in central defence and  the athletic presence of Steven Gerrard, and the unquestionably gifted Jones proved an equal danger in both penalty areas.

England’s full backs seemed exposed with a tight central midfield trio and the two Southampton wide men pushed on in very advanced roles.

Hodgson could be seen imploring his team to squeeze up in support of the front three. In the end, he settled for pulling Rodriguez and Lallana back to make a midfield five, to help patrol the wing backs, and it made his team more solid.

Missed opportunities: Phil Jones (above) and Adam Lallana (below) failed to convert chances for England

In the thick of it: Jack Wilshere receives a yellow card (above) as he tries to lauch an England attack (below)

Starting from wide on the left, Rodriguez had an early touch, winning a defensive header within seconds of the kick-off, and was then dispossessed as he dithered on the ball. Lallana on the opposite flank was more involved, combining well with others.

The Saints captain was also entrusted with set-pieces when Hodgson wanted a right-footed delivery and his confidence  on the ball helped England settle into their best period in the first half.

Lallana tested goalkeeper Bravo, as did Lampard with a dipping free-kick and an effort from James Milner squirmed over after taking  a deflection.

Bravo denied Wilshere, Rooney glanced a header wide and Lallana squandered the best chance of the half, snatching at  a shot after good approach work  by Rooney.

Hodgson settled his team at  half-time but could not conjure any flamboyance. Baines tried his luck with another free-kick which crashed into the defensive wall and Glen Johnson was wildly off target with a speculative effort.

More than once, Rooney worked his way into encouraging positions but without being able to apply the crucial final pass or work the goalkeeper.

    
Opposite ends of the scale: Lampard made his 103rd English appearance while Fraser Forster made his debut

The longer it went, the more the game drifted, and Hodgson’s hopes of completing the calendar year without defeat ended in injury-time when the outstanding Sanchez broke away and clipped the ball over Forster to make it 2-0.

Next come the Germans on  Tuesday and Hodgson will be expected to revert to something closer to his strongest team.

Game over: Sanchez chips the ball home to ensure there is no way back for Chile against England

Down and out: Wayne Rooney (right) is dejected after England's defeat to Chile at Wembley