While the absence of so many key players gave coach Fabio Capello a reason for England's 1-0 loss to Brazil, the game exposed the lack of depth he will have to contend with when he picks his World Cup squad.
Of his regular starting lineup, only Wayne Rooney and Gareth Barry were on the field in Doha against a Brazil side which missed a penalty and could easily have won 3-0.
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While the absences could provide a good excuse for the defeat, the England performance suggests to Capello that the players who will back up the likes of Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand and John Terry, aren't good enough.
"I learned some things," said Capello, who now has four months of national team inactivity to contemplate the situation. "I understand the value of some players against this sort of team better now, but I will not single out players."
With nine regulars missing - including David Beckham who was helping the Los Angeles Galaxy reach the MLS Cup final - Capello tried striker Darren Bent alongside Rooney, who was captain for the first time. Bent had only 11 touches and made little impact.
Capello's goalkeeper and entire defensive line was made up of players who almost certainly won't start at next year's World Cup in South Africa but will probably make the squad.
That means they will see action if the first-choice players get injured or suspended.
His starting lineup has shown in qualifying - nine wins in 10 games - that it is capable of beating anyone. But Capello will know by now that only Theo Walcott and Joe Cole have the talent to break into the starting lineup without making it weaker.
Feeble defending allowed Nilmar to run between two defenders and head the only goal of the game in Doha and, when he got through again, he was crudely brought down by goalkeeper Ben Foster.
