Three top-20 sides faced by Thomas Tuchel’s England – and still no wins.
The Three Lions breezed through qualification for the World Cup winning all of their eight games without conceding a goal.
But after losing 1-0 to Japan, the world’s 18th-ranked side, at Wembley in England’s last match before Tuchel names his World Cup squad, questions about whether the Three Lions struggle when they come up against elite nations are being asked.
After their loss at Wembley, which saw Japan become the first Asian side to beat England, the Three Lions end the March international break without a win.
There is an argument that Tuchel experiemented with his line-ups in last June’s 3-1 loss to 14th-ranked Senegal, the 1-1 draw with 17th-ranked Uruguay and in the Japan defeat, something he would not do at a major tournament.
But critics will suggest that the England manager should be using these games to find his best XI, and get them ready for the challenge that is coming at this summer’s World Cup, especially as the sides that England did not face the same tests in qualification.
Serbia, England’s toughest oppnent in qualification, are ranked 39th in the world, and were comfortably beaten 5-0 away by England and 2-0 at Wembley in November.
The biggest worry for England and for Tuchel is what they will do without captain and record goalscorer Harry Kane if he is not available.
Kane missed the game against Japan after picking up a knock in training and England, who lacked ideas in attack, do not have a candidate who is ready to be his back-up.
Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden was trialled as a false nine and did not have a good night but Tuchel has said this window has provided him “more clarity” than questions about his side.
“I am disappointed, everyone is.” Tuchel said. “I knew that we had a top exam in this window because our players are heavy in club football and in European football in the most physical toughest league that there is.
“We played against two top-20 teams, well drilled and very good opponents who arrived with their best line-up
“We had big changes in the middle of camp, suddenly after the [Uruguay] match we had seven or eight injuries who had to leave.
“It is not an excuse, it is just an explanation why things are not perfectly smooth and perfectly at the highest level we expect.”