( CNN ) -- England battled to a morale-boosting 1-0 win over world champions Spain at Wembley Saturday with their stand-in captain Frank Lampard scoring the only goal early in the second half . The home side were lacking regular captain John Terry and star striker Wayne Rooney , but were rewarded for a dogged display against a Spain side who had the bulk of possession but created few chances . Lampard took his in the 49th minute and can rarely have scored a simpler goal as he headed home into a gaping net after Darren Bent 's header from a James Milner free-kick hit the post and rebounded invitingly for him . Spain , who had not lost to England for 10 years , continued to force the home side back , with Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker outstanding in a rearguard action , being named man of the match . Fabio Capello 's experimental central defensive partnership of Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka also held firm throughout , but Spain still might have equalized . David Villa 's volleyed shot hit the post with England goalkeeper Joe Hart beaten and substitute Cesc Fabregas sent a late effort wide from an excellent scoring position . The final whistle came as a relief to the capacity crowd of just over 87,189 and Lampard , who was substituted by Gareth Barry after his goal , said his team would not be getting carried away with their victory in the friendly . `` For everyone it is a lift , but we have to be realistic . We know they dominated the game for long periods , '' the Chelsea star told ITV Sport . `` The back four and Scott ( Parker ) were fantastic , '' he said . `` They are without doubt the best team in the world . It gives us something to build on but we know we have to improve . '' Lampard 's Chelsea teammate Terry , under investigation by the English FA for an alleged racist comment in a match against Queens Park Rangers , is expected to return for Tuesday 's match against Sweden . But Rooney , who is appealing against a three-match Euro 2012 ban , has been left out of the squad as Capello experiments for next year 's finals . In other international friendly action Saturday , Wales continued their fine recent form with a 4-1 home win over Norway in Cardiff . Tottenham 's Gareth Bale and Craig Bellamy of Liverpool scored to put Gary Speed 's men 2-0 ahead and two late Sam Vokes ' goals made the game safe after Erik Huseklepp had pulled one back for the visitors . Mexico beat Serbia 2-0 with Manchester United 's Javier Hernandez scoring the second to make the game safe for the home side .
England beat Spain 1 - 0 in a friendly international at Wembley . Stand - in keeper Frank Lampard scores only goal in second half . England securing first victory in 10 years over world champions . Gareth Bale scores as England beat Norway 4 - 1 in Cardiff .