A second-half equaliser from Ecuador's Michael Arroya ensured that England could only record a 2-2 draw in their penultimate warm-up match before the start of the World Cup finals in Brazil.
Enner Valencia had given La Tri an eighth-minute lead before goals from Wayne Rooney and Rickie Lambert either side of the break put the Three Lions in control. However, Arroya's 25-yard strike evened things up, and manager Roy Hodgson would have taken positives and negatives from the encounter in Miami.
Below, Sports Mole assesses who strengthened their chances of earning a starting place against Italy on June 14, and which players may have slipped down the pecking order after a mixed 90 minutes in Florida.
Hits:
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain missed the final few weeks of the domestic season through injury, but he soon showed what Arsenal supporters had been missing with an aggressive, attack-minded performance that gave England a different dimension.
His bursts down the right-hand side were a constant feature during a lively display in the opening 45 minutes, and his cross resulted in the confusion in the penalty area that allowed Rooney to tap home his 39th international goal.
However, the 20-year-old's night was soured when he was forced to leave the action early in the second half through injury, and with Hodgson admitting that it looks like ligament damage, he faces an anxious wait regarding his participation in Brazil.
Ross Barkley
In what was his first start on the international stage, Ross Barkley showed why he is considered England's brightest young talent with an incisive performance behind Rickie Lambert.
As Hodgson alluded to after the game, Barkley's decision-making wasn't perfect, but at this stage of his career, the shackles should be off the Everton man and his showing in Miami displayed a lot of promise for the future.
After a solid opening 45 minutes, Barkley had the crowd on their feet with a couple of direct runs towards the Ecuador defence, with the 20-year-old playing a pivotal role in setting up Lambert for England's second of the game.
Rickie Lambert
© Getty Images
After Andy Carroll returned to full fitness near the end of the season, some questioned whether Rickie Lambert should retain his place in the international setup, but the Liverpool striker's performance on Wednesday hinted that Hodgson was right to place faith in the 32-year-old.
Hodgson will be delighted that Lambert's confidence on the international stage is growing by the game, and the part that he played in both of England's goals could see him move into contention for the Italy match.
Lambert is unlikely to start that fixture, but after his presence in the penalty area contributed to the first goal and his cool finish inside the box resulted in a second, Hodgson knows that the former Southampton man could become a valuable asset in Brazil.
Misses:
Chris Smalling
After missing out on the European Championship in 2012, Chris Smalling has established himself as a regular part of England's squad, and despite an average campaign with Manchester United, his place in Brazil was never in too much doubt.
However, while Smalling's versatility is seen as a plus among many, it also results in the 24-year-old being unable to consistency improve in one position, and his weakness in the centre of defence was, at times, exposed in Miami.
The former Fulham man was partly to blame for Ecuador's opener after failing to get his head to a cross, and while he had no involvement in the South American side's second, this wasn't the convincing display that Smalling would have been hoping for ahead of the World Cup.
© Getty Images
James Milner
Like with Smalling, James Milner's ability to adapt to a number of positions effectively assures him of a place in any England squad, and the Manchester City player was given the opportunity to try to impress at right-back against Ecuador.
However, as rumours persist that he could start against Italy, this wasn't a comfortable night for Milner as he found it difficult to cope with the pace of Jefferson Montero on the flank.
The 28-year-old also found himself being partly culpable for both of Ecuador's goals, and while he improved when restored to central-midfield, this wasn't a good night for one of England's more reliable performers.
Frank Lampard
Frank Lampard has long been an integral part of England's starting lineup, but at the age of 35, the England vice captain is beginning to slow in the middle of the park and it's having a negative influence on his team's attempts to win back possession.
The departing Chelsea man is still a threat on the ball, especially in and around the penalty area, but he has lost a yard of pace, which doesn't fit in with the style of play that Hodgson is trying to enforce.
Lampard has a role to play in Brazil, but it is likely to come in the final 20 minutes of matches as England try to defend a scoreline or throw caution to the wind during the closing stages.
Darren Plant
