Sweden v England: England's young cubs given a lesson by a Nordic warrior - Telegraph.co.uk

The gap between Osman (31 years and 181 days) and Sterling (17 years and 342) was the largest between England debutants since the second World War.

Only Theo Walcott, Wayne Rooney, James Prinsep, Thurston Rostron and Clement Mitchell (the last three, in the 19th Century) wore England colours at a younger age than Sterling, who has appeared in 10 of Liverpool's Premier League games this term and was called up for the World Cup qualifier against Ukraine in September without seeing action.

Osman, on the other hand, has been waving goodbye to the internationals at Everton's training ground for a decade or more. Like Tony Hancock on a wet Sunday he has sat by the phone waiting in vain for it to ring. But ring it finally did in the

charity-moustache growing month of Movember, and Osman made a tidy bow alongside the centurion Gerrard, who has 99 caps more.

Hodgson has awarded 12 first caps in his six-month reign: Ryan Shawcross (for Caulker) and Carl Jenkinson (for Glen Johnson) also took their bows with 15 minutes left. Shawcross, though, was subjected to an even more brutal introduction by Ibrahimovic, who stole behind him to smash in a ball launched over the Stoke defender's head. Sweden were level at 2-2. Then the roof caved in on England.

These lessons, freely given at international level, are no bar to future involvement but there cannot be too many of them for any young recruit.

The adjustment is primarily

psychological. Shawcross will know now that players of Ibrahimovic's calibre will hurt you straight away, not wait. Maximum vigilance is required from the get-go.

Caulker, 20, who reached Stockholm via loan spells at Swansea, Yeovil and Bristol City, was already a GB Olympian by the time he took his place at centre-back alongside Gary Cahill. Haunting him on his first start was the fearsome Zlatan, who smelt north London blood.

He was beaten by a ball over the top in the first minute and was outwitted when Rasmus Elm curled in a low cross to Ibrahimovic, who fired against Caulker's leg and then scored from the rebound with an expert prod into the top corner.

Minutes later Caulker was smashed off the ball by the same adversary but he had an answer to his bullying. When Steven Gerrard dipped a trademark free-kick into the Swedish penalty box Caulker stooped to force the ball in.

He was getting the hang of it now. A shade casual at times, he will need to make sure his danger-radar is always on. It was when Ibrahimovic loomed near the six-yard box again and Caulker jabbed out a boot to send the Sweden striker's shot fizzing over the crossbar.

Older newcomers tend to disappear back into the mist. Kevin Davies never added to his single cap, earned at 33 years-old; Nor did Kevin Richardson, a one-off Terry Venables experiment. Chris Powell (31) made it to five and Steve Bould (also 31) managed two. But Osman, a late ­developer, offers a strong alternative for Hodgson in the deeper midfield positions and will be seen again. With maturity comes coolness and an ability to take an opportunity.

Zaha, 20, had caused a bit of a stir with his pre-match interview: "I want to come up against defenders who will properly test me," he said. "I'd never look at someone and think he's better than me, unless it's Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi. When I get on the pitch it's my time."

No harm in that. Nor in his passion for the finer arts: "I used to spend most of my time with a tennis ball doing tricks, little drag-backs and all sorts in my room. I would copy people like Ronaldinho but others I would try myself to see if I could pull them off."

What they all need to do now is study the tapes of Ibrahimovic, who spoiled Gerrard's big day and took England apart.

They must not tell themselves they just ran into a virtuoso on one of his good days. The group available to Hodgson is expanding nicely. But time is always short, except to geniuses, as Ibrahimovic demonstrated, with his transcendent show of skill.