Midfielder Joe Cole lined up an equaliser and then scored a stoppage-time winner to give England a 2-1 comeback win over Uruguay in a friendly at Anfield on Wednesday.
Uruguay, chosen for their similar playing style to England's future World Cup group rivals Paraguay, looked set for victory after midfielder Omar Pouso fired home a stunning 25-metre volley in the 26th minute.
But towering substitute Peter Crouch spared England's blushes by scoring his first goal for his country in the 75th, rising at the far post to head in a teasing cross from Cole.
The Chelsea midfielder then went one better in the third minute of stoppage time on a cold night on Merseyside, flicking home the winner from close range to seal an unlikely and barely-deserved victory.
It was England's first match since the Football Association announced that coach Sven-Goran Eriksson will leave after the World Cup and their last before the Swede names his squad for the finals in Germany.
There was an England debut for Darren Bent, standing in for the injured Michael Owen alongside Wayne Rooney up front, while holding midfielder Michael Carrick, replacing late injury victim Frank Lampard, displayed some neat and tidy passing.
Diego Forlan signalled his return to the north-west with a couple of shots before robbing his former Manchester United team mate Rio Ferdinand of the ball in a dangerous position, although his shot was deflected by the defender's quick recovery.
The South Americans lived up to their billing, showing plenty of unhurried style on the ball and threading a neat passing game together.
The hosts also bided their time and took over 20 minutes to create their first chance, when Carrick slipped a fine ball through for Cole, whose shot flew just wide.
Uruguay went ahead soon after when the impressive Mario Regueiro curled over a corner and England's clearance was met with Pouso's superb volley.
BRIDGE INJURED
England suffered another setback five minutes later when left-back Wayne Bridge left the field on a stretcher with suspected ankle ligament injury after a collision with keeper Paul Robinson. Liverpool's Jamie Carragher took his place.
Bent, given little service up front, dragged his only chance wide and central defender John Terry won a corner from an uncharacteristic run through the Uruguay rearguard in a spell of sustained England pressure before the break.
There was more of the same after the re-start, though England were still struggling to create real scoring chances and Uruguay looked dangerous on the break, with Robinson having to parry a Diego Perez shot after a slick passing move.
England captain David Beckham came close with a trademark free kick, shortly before making way for Shaun Wright-Phillips while Wayne Rooney, who had worked hard and caused Uruguay a few problems, was replaced by Crouch.
The lanky striker certainly made an impact 15 minutes from the end, nodding Cole's cross from the left past Uruguay's substitute keeper Sebastian Viera.
The strike was not only his first goal for England but has almost certainly secured his place in Eriksson's World Cup squad for the finals in Germany.
Cole provided the happy ending, tucking the ball home from a pass by Wright-Phillips, who should also make the finals.
The match was preceded by a minute's silence for late England manager Ron Greenwood and also for former Chelsea striker Peter Osgood, who died suddenly on Wednesday.
The England players wore black armbands.