Sheffield's Harry Maguire wins first England cap in Lithuania win

The former Sheffield United defender was handed a start in the dead-rubber match with qualification already assured for England.

It capped a brilliant year for the 24-year-old who earned a £17million switch to Leicester City from Hull City in the summer.

His national team debut came on another disappointing night for England.

Although they finished their fourth consecutive qualification campaign unbeaten, they also did so with another ponderous performance.

Southgate shouldered the responsibility for the dull win over Slovenia and hoped to make amends with an entertaining display against Lithuania, yet Harry Kane’s first-half penalty was the only moment to celebrate as England won 1-0 against the side ranked 120th in the world.

The main enjoyment for the travelling hordes were the struggles of old foes Scotland in Slovenia, while they resorted to gallows humour by likening England’s play to watching Brazil - next month’s opponents at Wembley after world champions Germany’s visit.

Those friendlies could make for grim viewing from an England perspective unless things drastically improve from this week, with captain Kane’s performances among few genuine positives.

The 24-year-old striker made it 15 goals in his last 10 matches for club and country by slotting home what proved to be the first-half winner after Dele Alli won a penalty.

Tottenham team-mate Harry Winks showed promise on his senior debut, but the three-man defence clearly needs work given by the number of times Jack Butland was worked as an unbeaten Group F campaign ended limply.

England’s travelling hordes gave polite applause at the end, with many fans still bedecked in ponchos as rain fell for the majority of the night in Vilnius.

Unfortunately, the Three Lions’ display was as drab as the weather in the first half as an experimental side dominated possession without the necessary bite.