Germany's Lukas Podolski is thrown in the air by teammates after his final appearance for his country in the international friendly in Dortmund, Germany on March 22, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

England might have won the game, but lacked a clinical edge in front of goal. Southgate's side had looked more likely to score before Podolski struck and the players will be able to take plenty of encouragement from the performance.

"I'm not somebody that's over positive about things if we've been defeated, but I have to be really pleased with how the players played, individually and in terms of the tactical system," Southgate said after his first game since becoming coach on a permanent basis.

"I'm very pleased with what we learned, the manner of the performance, and the one bit we missed was the finish. We should have had the game won, really," Southgate said.

It was England's first defeat in its sixth game since Euro 2016.

Many fans dusted off their Podolski jerseys for the game, while there was a good trade in Podolski scarves outside the stadium. Cologne fans from his hometown club also wore their colors in tribute to their hero.

There was a giant banner in front of the Westfalenstadion's south stand declaring, "130 games, 48 goals, a legend. Thanks Lukas.""Thank you Dortmund, thank you Cologne and thank you Germany," Podolski said for the reception.