By Phil McNulty
BBC Sport chief football writer at Anfield
England's second successive late win saw them leave Anfield to tunes of glory - but a few well-struck notes of caution would have been more appropriate.
Joe Cole's late winner against an unremarkable Uruguay ensured the "Football's Coming Home" triumphalism at the final whistle did not sound too hollow.
But as an advert for England's boundless confidence in their chances for success in the World Cup, it was unconvincing fare.
England's resilience and ability to snatch victory, as they did so dramatically against Argentina, is to be admired.
And all judgement has to placed in the context of Sven-Goran Eriksson's experimentation in friendlies, and the knowledge that England's full array of armour is likely to be saved for the opening shots in Germany this summer.
It was a win that told us things we already knew - most specifically that England's real World Cup ambitions rest on Wayne Rooney avoiding injury between now and June.
With Michael Owen working his way back to full fitness, any ill fate for the outstanding Rooney would effectively end England's chances.
The small margin that can influence major tournaments was illustrated by the injury to Wayne Bridge which leaves England's left-back resources looking worryingly thin.
Eriksson praises Cole display
Eriksson will see pluses in the performances of Joe Cole and Peter Crouch - although it remains to be seen whether world-class defences are so obviously unhinged by the mere sight of the giant striker as Uruguay were at Anfield.
It was a sweet moment for Crouch, jeered so shamefully at Old Trafford, when he headed England's equaliser.
Is he a striker of true international quality? Time will tell, but Eriksson is clearly determined to let him prove his case.
Cole was England's best player, but once again he too often let the circus mentality get the better of him, almost crucially when he played the party piece and almost lost possession in a dangerous area late on.
Uruguay failed to punish him. Others may not be so generous.
Rio Ferdinand had one of those sloppy nights that could prove terminal at the World Cup, while Michael Carrick and Jermaine Jenas did not do enough to solve the riddle of why Scott Parker is continually ignored by Eriksson.
The Spurs duo did their respective causes no great harm, but Parker has a sense of urgency and purpose that is missing from Carrick and Jenas - a fact seemingly lost on Eriksson.
Parker must wonder what he has done to offend Eriksson, and surely it is gross negligence on the Swede's part if he fails to exploit what he can offer.
Perhaps stirred by his lack of action at Chelsea, Shaun Wright-Phllips' brief appearance again did more than hint that his pace and trickery not only offers a different type of threat than David Beckham but also - maybe unthinkably - a more potent one.
Charlton's debut boy Darren Bent had a tough evening, with little service of real quality, and there was an inescapable sense he was playing himself out of the World Cup squad rather than into it.
Harsh maybe and Bent will undoubtedly come again, but Jermain Defoe is the more accomplished and ruthless striker and should go to Germany.
England stumbled rather than strode over the finishing line, exacting suitable punishment on a Uruguay side who resorted to the old habits when it looked like they might escape into a freezing Merseyside night with a draw.
Uruguay showed enough in possession to give England and Eriksson some food for thought as the countdown to Germany continues.
And it is to be hoped England are merely ironing out a few faults before the serious action begins.
A win is a win - but it was not a win to underscore the huge optimism currently being engendered by the England camp about the summer showpiece in Germany.
There will be tougher tests ahead. And there will have to be better performances.