In the historic Olympic Stadium in Berlin, where ghosts from the past lie in every corner, it was the potential for future extravaganzas that caught the imagination most.

On Wednesday night England’s young starlets showed the fans that they should have a lot to be excited about - and that the apparent lack of youthful gems being produced by academies is a problem that should be left for the FA to ponder.

For when Germany are defeated in their own back-yard, it’s a time for celebrating.

As Shaun Wright-Phillips vigorously tore down the right-hand side of midfield and Stewart Downing unleashed stinging drive after stinging drive, you wondered how this nation of quality footballers had ever failed so spectacularly.

It is now exactly a year since Steve McClaren led England to the depths of depression. Precisely 365 days since Croatia came to Wembley and gave us a lesson in the game. How far we’ve come.

Bar John Terry’s calamitous mistake in the second-half, when he allowed Germany to temporarily equalise, England’s performance was faultless against top-class opposition. 

Terry and Mathew Upson were solid at the back, Michael Carrick and Gareth Barry were exceptional in midfield and Gabby Agbonlahor and Jermain Defoe were always offering movement and hold-up play in the striking roles.

Germany had no answer. Such was England’s domination that neither David James in the first half, nor Scott Carson in the second, had to make big contributions to the game. They were spectators for the majority of proceedings.

If England’s strongest 11 had beaten Germany away from home, it would have been a significant achievement, but for a second-string side to do it was outstanding. Admittedly Germany were missing key players as well, but that should take away nothing from the performance and result.

The confidence and determination which England’s players displayed on Wednesday night proved they have the heart to succeed on the big stage. And the ability.

With Carrick biting into tackles in midfield, and setting off attacks with his excellent range of passing, and Agbonlahor cleverly running into channels and opening up space, nobody can say the team that beat Germany is not good enough for the international arena.

There were too many outstanding contributions to disagree. Upson was named man of the match at the back, heading and tackling solidly all evening, whilst in front of him Downing and Wright-Phillips showed the way wing-play should be performed.

Capello’s run of victories continued magnificently in Berlin, and whilst the world has not quite been conquered yet, there are plenty of reasons to believe that it could be achieved in 2010.

Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Wayne Rooney and Co. have a lot to live up to after watching their back-up knock the Germans to the ground in such style.

But how many of the players who started on Wednesday should retain their places in future internationals?