However, the Three Lions went into the fixture in London on the back of a hugely impressive 1-0 triumph over world champions Spain, and despite the match attracting the lowest crowd for an England game since Wembley was rebuilt, there was a growing feeling of optimism ahead of the European Championship.

Manager Fabio Capello named a relatively young side, with Kyle Walker and Jack Rodwell making their first starts for their country, and the likes of Stewart Downing and Bobby Zamora were given the opportunity to impress their boss on the international stage.

There was also a start for Chelsea defender John Terry, who was, at the time, the subject of a police investigation amid allegations that he racially abused Queens Park Rangers player Anton Ferdinand in a Premier League match earlier in the campaign.

It was a low-key start from a starting lineup that featured only three of the players that had began the Spain encounter, but Zamora did waste a chance in the opening stages by sending a shot into the side-netting after good work from Theo Walcott.

England's Gareth Barry celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the friendly football match between England and Sweden at the Wembley Stadium in London, on November 15, 2011 © Getty Images

Liverpool midfielder Downing was having a growing influence in the match, and it was his delivery that helped England take the lead. His cross found the head of Gareth Barry, which was helped into the back of the net by a deflection from Daniel Majstorovic.

Like Downing, Rodwell was also making the most of his opportunity to make an impact, and he twice came close to doubling England's advantage. Firstly, he volleyed wide from a Leighton Baines cross, before heading against the woodwork from close range.

It had been an enthusiastic outing from England's youngsters, and just before the break, Phil Jones broke clear of the Sweden defence before driving the ball wide of the post.

Sweden withdrew Zlatan Ibrahimovic at half time, who had been abject at best, but it failed to improve his side's performance at the start of the second half as England continued to threaten another goal.

Rodwell remained the driving force in midfield, and the Everton midfielder twice threatened Andreas Isaksson's goal before he was replaced by Daniel Sturridge, who was winning his first senior cap for his country.

Kyle Walker and Jack Rodwell of England challenge Johan Elmander of Sweden during the international friendly match between England and Sweden on November 15, 2011 © Getty Images

The alterations could have had a negative effect on an impressive England performance, but their dominance continued through Downing, who fired his shot too close to Isaksson after a lung-busting run from midfield.

The visitors finally built up a significant threat on England's goal during the final 15 minutes of the match, with substitute stopper Scott Carson being forced to claw away a Sebastian Larsson effort that was heading into the net.

Christian Wilhelmsson also wasted an glorious opportunity for Sweden in added-on time when he fired over the crossbar from inside the penalty area, and that proved to be the final action in England's final match of 2011.

Three months later, Capello lost his job after a dispute with the Football Association that threatened to send England's Euro 2012 preparations into turmoil.

However, new boss Roy Hodgson managed to guide England to the knockout stages in Ukraine and Poland, before losing out to Italy on penalties.