Tite deployed a strong Brazil side to face England on Tuesday night, but Southgate's youthful team battled to deny the star-studded Brazilian strike force with the manager describing it as a "very credible" result for the Three Lions.
Southgate particularly praised the efforts of his back three, Joe Gomez, John Stones and Harry Maguire: "I thought they were all excellent," said Southgate. "Joe has been given the man-of-the-match award and rightly so."
"We know his athleticism is a real asset, but there was also his decision-making and his calmness in the face of high quality movement and high-quality through passes that he had to read."
He also added about Manchester City man Stones: "In the two games, I think John Stones has really shown his defensive attributes. He's looked really mature, controlled the line and taken pride in his defending as well as being calm in possession. I think that's a significant step for him."
"Harry has also been a real plus," added the England coach. "He started a little anxiously today but he grew in confidence and grew into the game."
Southgate drew many positives from the two friendlies against Germany and Brazil in which England have kept two clean sheets: "They are not going to face more difficult tests than they have had in the two matches we have had, and they have come through them with two clean sheets."
"The system has worked well. Collectively we have worked well. They had control of the game tonight and they were the most dangerous team, no doubt about that, but we have limited both teams to very few clear-cut chances," he concluded.