Siobhan Chamberlain saved a second-half penalty as England held Olympic silver medallists Sweden to a goalless draw in Murcia.
In a game of few clear-cut openings, Manchester City forward Kosovare Asllani was presented with a glorious opportunity to earn her side victory from 12 yards – but Chamberlain dived low to her left to claw the ball away.
Mark Sampson’s side, who are preparing for the Euro 2017 finals, put in a much-improved performance from Sunday’s 1-0 defeat by Norway.
Sweden did threaten after the break and might have sneaked the win, but England controlled possession for large spells; they just lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
There were 10 changes from the Norway game, with only Liverpool keeper Chamberlain retaining her place.
Millie Bright made her first start for the Lionesses, Gemma Bonner was included for the first time since 2015 and Rachel Williams made her first start since the successful Cyprus Cup campaign in 2013.
With England hitherto on top, Stina Blacstenius thought she had put Pia Sundhage’s side ahead just before the half-hour mark when she headed home Jessica Samuelsson’s right-sided cross, but the assistant referee’s flag was raised for offside.
Sweden had two FA WSL players on display in Asllani and Chelsea goalkeeper Hedvig Lindahl – and Lindahl was on-hand to save England’s first shot on target, a free-kick by Blues club mate Karen Carney.
The Scandinavians made two changes at the break with Pauline Hannarlund and Lotta Schelin replacing Blacstenius and Sofia Jakobson.
And Hannarlund forced a good save from Chamberlain when heading Jonna Andersson’s left-sided cross on target from five yards out.
She came close again when latching onto Schelin’s low centre but guided her shot just wide of the far post.
Then came Chamberlain’s champagne moment.
Sweden launched a counter attack after Williams’s fierce shot was charged down by Nilla Fischer.
The ball found Schelin who broke into the box only to be tripped by the recovering Flaherty.
Asllani stepped up to take the spot-kick but Chamberlain got down low to her left to earn her side a deserved draw.
England are next in action at the SheBelieves Cup in March where they will face the top three sides in the world in Germany, France and host nation USA, the World Cup holders.
Sweden: 1 Hedvig Lindahl, 2 Jonna Andersson, 3 Linda Sembrant, 5 Nilla Fischer, 7 Lisa Dahlkvist, 9 Kosovare Asllani, 10 Sofia Jakobson, 11 Stina Blacstenius, 15 Jessica Samuelsson, 17 Caroline Seger (C), 18 Fridolina Rolfo.
Substitutes: 19 Pauline Hannarlund for Jakobson ht, 8 Lotta Schelin for Blacstenius ht, 6 Magdalena Eriksson for Dahlkvist 65, 14 Hanna Folkesson for Sembrant 65, 16 Hanna Glas for Asllani 80, 22 Olivia Schough for Andersson 80.
Substitutes not used: 12 Hilda Carlen.
Head coach: Pia Sunhage
England (3-4-3): 1 Siobhan Chamberlain (Liverpool); 4 Gemma Bonner (Liverpool), 5 Gilly Flaherty (Chelsea), 6 Millie Bright (Chelsea); 2 Rachel Daly (Houston Dash), 7 Isobel Christiansen (Manchester City), 8 Jordan Nobbs (capt; Arsenal), 3 Claire Rafferty (Chelsea); 10 Jill Scott (Manchester City), 9 Rachel Williams (Notts County), 11 Karen Carney (Chelsea).
Substitutes: 15 Gemma Davison (Chelsea) for Rafferty 55, 17 Demi Stokes (Manchester City) for Carney 70, 16 Steph Houghton (Manchester City) for Flaherty 80.
Substitutes not used: 12 Jade Moore (Notts County), 13 Mary Earps (Reading), 14 Hannah Blundell (Chelsea), 21 Sophie Baggaley (Birmingham City).
Bookings: Flaherty
Head coach: Mark Sampson
Referee: Marte Soro
