Spain 2-3 England: Report, result and goals as Three Lions finally overcome World Cup winners

UEFA Nations League,
League A – 6

Spain
ESP

2
–

3

Full Time

England
ENG

Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Clement Turpin

Mikel Oyarzabal 65′ (Pen)
Nico Williams 75′

Harry Kane 45′ (Pen)
Ezri Konsa 53′
Ben White 57′

Ten-man England produced a stunning performance to beat world champions Spain 3-2 in Madrid and secure top spot in their Nations League group.

Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot just before half-time before Ezri Konsa and Ben White struck in the space of four second-half minutes to give Thomas Tuchel’s side a commanding three-goal advantage.

However, Elliot Anderson was sent off for bringing down Lamine Yamal inside the penalty area, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to pull one back from the spot.

Nico Williams then reduced the deficit further, but England held on thanks to a series of outstanding saves from James Trafford.

The result ended Spain’s 43-match unbeaten run in all competitions and completed an impressive Nations League group campaign for the Three Lions.

Kane puts England ahead after dominant first half

England made a flying start at the Metropolitano, pressing Spain high up the pitch and creating several early opportunities.

Jude Bellingham almost opened the scoring after just two minutes when he met a corner inside the penalty area, but Unai Simon produced an excellent one-handed save.

Anthony Gordon was then denied as England continued to threaten, before Kane fired narrowly wide from outside the box after Spain surrendered possession in a dangerous position.

Spain gradually settled into the contest, although their attacking opportunities remained limited.

Lamine Yamal threatened down the right and drew a booking from Declan Rice in the 14th minute after the midfielder brought him down.

Pedro Porro was introduced midway through the half after Marc Pubill suffered an injury, while the hosts began enjoying longer spells of possession.

However, England remained dangerous whenever they regained the ball.

Bellingham was flagged offside after finding the side-netting following a pass from Kane, while Gordon and Morgan Rogers continued to cause problems with their movement.

Spain’s best opportunity of the first half arrived in the 37th minute when Yamal cut inside from the right and fired narrowly over Trafford’s crossbar.

England eventually made their pressure count shortly before the interval.

Bellingham escaped a challenge from Marc Cucurella before Anderson released Kane into the penalty area.

The England captain shifted the ball away from Pau Cubarsi, who brought him down with a late challenge.

Referee Clement Turpin awarded a penalty, and the decision stood following a VAR check for a possible foul by Anderson earlier in the move.

Kane stepped forward in the 45th minute and powered his spot-kick into the bottom-right corner beyond Simon.

It was another landmark goal for the England captain, who became the first Three Lions player since Tom Finney to score in seven consecutive away appearances.

England survive Spanish comeback after Anderson red card

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente made three changes at half-time, introducing Pedri, Fermin Lopez and Dean Huijsen in an attempt to turn the contest around.

However, England continued to threaten and doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute.

Bellingham won a corner following another driving run into the penalty area, allowing Rice to deliver an excellent outswinging cross.

Konsa escaped his marker and powered an unchallenged header past Simon to make it 2-0.

Just four minutes later, England stunned the home crowd by adding a third.

Kane combined with Bellingham, who threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the path of White.

The defender surged into the penalty area and drove a right-footed effort past Simon at his near post, putting England 3-0 ahead against the world champions.

However, the contest changed in the 63rd minute.

Yamal raced into the England penalty area after Spain regained possession, forcing Trafford to rush from his goal.

As the goalkeeper attempted to block the Barcelona winger, Anderson brought him down, leaving the referee with little hesitation in awarding a penalty.

The midfielder was shown a straight red card, reducing England to 10 men with almost half an hour remaining.

Oyarzabal stepped up two minutes later and calmly rolled his penalty into the bottom corner as Trafford dived the wrong way.

De la Fuente introduced Williams in the 72nd minute, and the Athletic Club winger made an immediate impact.

England lost possession in midfield when Gordon was dispossessed, allowing Spain to launch a quick attack.

Fermin released Yamal down the right, and the winger squared the ball across the penalty area for Williams to finish in off the left post in the 75th minute.

With England’s lead reduced to a single goal, Tuchel responded by introducing Myles Lewis-Skelly for Kane as the visitors switched their focus towards protecting their advantage.

Spain continued to dominate possession, forcing England deeper into their own half.

Trafford produced an outstanding save to deny Fermin after Oyarzabal’s cut-back before making another excellent intervention to keep out Yamal’s effort.

The hosts continued to search for an equaliser, with Porro firing wide before White produced a crucial last-ditch challenge to prevent Williams from breaking through.

Spain’s pressure intensified during stoppage time, but Trafford once again came to England’s rescue.

The goalkeeper produced two remarkable saves in quick succession, first denying Fermin before reacting brilliantly to keep out Aymeric Laporte’s follow-up.

Yamal appealed for another penalty moments later, but the referee waved away his protests.

England eventually saw out the remaining minutes to claim a memorable win in Madrid.

The UEFA Nations League Table

Upcoming fixtures for Spain and England

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