Fabio Capello's 64th birthday turned out to be full of unhappy returns as his men struggled to control the ball, pass it or cross it, let alone score as they floundered against opponents they were expected to beat easily to take control of World Cup Group C.
The Italian, who replaced the much ridiculed Steve McClaren after England failed to qualify for Euro 2008, appeared to have created a fine side as they breezed into the World Cup by winning nine of their 10 qualifiers, clinching their place in the finals with two matches to spare.
But this performance, even worse than the poor showing against the United States in their opening 1-1 draw on Saturday, suggests that Capello has done nothing to improve the side's belief in itself in the pressure-cooker atmosphere of a World Cup.
The performance totally justified the comments of German great Franz Beckenbauer earlier this week, who said England had "gone backwards" under Capello.
"It looked to me as if the English have gone backwards into the bad old days of kick and rush. What I've seen has got very little to do with football," said Beckenbauer.
He added that Capello would not be able to change the mindset of England's players and they more than proved his point on Friday.
He appeared to be uncertain over his first choice goalkeeper, playing David James on Friday after Robert Green's blunder against the United States.
The jury though is now out on Capello's England, and the verdict is in the balance.
