Ben Cabango believes Robert Lewandowski brought out the best of him as the pair locked horns in Wales' clash with Poland.
The Swansea City man was recalled to Rob Page's squad for the recent international fixtures after missing the summer schedule due to an ankle injury. Cabango was an unused substitute for his side's 2-1 defeat to Belgium in Brussels, although he started in place of the suspended Chris Mepham in the 1-0 loss to the Polish.
On what was only his fifth cap, the 22-year-old was handed the tough task of marking Barcelona star Lewandowski - who has 76 goals in 134 appearances for his country.
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But the central defender performed admirably at Cardiff City Stadium and admits he will be better for his battle with Lewandowski. "He was quality, a really tough opponent and I've learned a few things from it," he said. "It was really good, he brought out the best in me.
"I was buzzing for the start. I've been working hard for it and it's finally come. I'm going to put my head down, keeping working hard, and hopefully I am on the plane to Doha."
Despite Wales' largely impressive defensive display, the hosts were undone by a moment of quality in the 58th minute as Lewandowski teed up Karol Swiderski to lash home the only goal of the contest. Nevertheless, Cabango's stats from the match made for good reading.
He won four aerial duels - the joint-most alongside Joe Rodon - and made two key passes - a tally bettered only by Daniel James. Four of his five long balls were accurate while Cabango also won two free-kicks and made two tackles.
His pass accuracy of 87.2 per cent was the joint-best return for the home side while his total of four clearances was more than any other man in red.
"I thought he did really well," head coach Page said about Cabango's efforts in his tussle with Lewandowski. "He is one of the best strikers in the world isn't he?
"Half a chance, his touch was incredible, for the goal. That's what we're asking our fringe players to do, step up to the plate, and he gave a good account of himself tonight."
Defeat condemned Wales to relegation from the Nations League, with the Red Dragons set to play in the second tier of the competition next time out. It also meant they go into the World Cup on the back of three successive defeats, their worst run in a decade.
Nevertheless, Cabango has no concerns ahead of his side's tournament opener against the United States of America on November 21.
"We played well on the night and it's disappointing to get that loss and relegation from the group," he added. "But we're going to regroup now and look forward to the World Cup.
"Confidence is still high. The performances have still been good. We've obviously been unlucky not to get the results. We've got a good group and I'm sure we'll do well at the World Cup.
"You can see the opposition we've been playing. They are top quality. Playing against players like that, we're always going to improve and learn a lot of things going into the World Cup.
"We'll be playing those top teams in Doha and we can get good results if we stick together as a group."
Cabango is set to return to action with Swansea City this week as Russell Martin's men face West Brom at The Hawthorns Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm.
(Wales v Poland match stats via WhoScored?)
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