Spain showed why they are the best national team in the world by emerging 3-2 winners in a thrilling, chaotic Nations League clash at Wembley, in which England’s flaws undermined their exciting attacking play.
It was the World Cup final that might have been had England not squandered their advantage against Argentina this summer – but Spain showed the gap in quality in a result which is a major blow to Thomas Tuchel’s stated aim of winning this competition.
Bad errors from Marc Guehi and Nico O’Reilly helped Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena score Spain’s first two and England were cut open through the match, including for Mikel Oyarzabal’s winner which came with 16 minutes to play.
But while England’s defence suffered, there was brilliant forward play, too.
Anthony Gordon had urged England to lean into their traditional strengths this week and they did just that with an exceptional counter-attack to make it 1-1, which saw the winger combine with Jude Bellingham before precisely applying the finish. Harry Kane’s header from O’Reilly’s cross made it 2-1 and capped an incredible transformation in the match.
In four minutes, Spain had conceded more goals than in their eight World Cup games combined.
There was then a pivotal moment, when England were awarded a penalty at the start of the second half, when Rodri was judged to have fouled Bellingham, following a VAR check. But Kane slipped and sent his spot-kick against the bar – and Spain capitalised.
Ferran Torres may have passed up two one-on-one chances in the first half, but Spain were clinical after the missed spot-kick to go top of Nations League Group A3.
England’s Harry Kane slips and fires his penalty against the bar in the match with Spain
With this result, Spain’s record-breaking unbeaten streak is also extended to 39 games. England will now have to find a way to beat them in Madrid in November – and win against Czech Republic and Croatia in the meantime – if they are to make it to the Nations League finals and show they are capable of toppling the best when it matters.
The key moments from Wembley
2: GOAL! Marc Guehi’s blunder allows Lamine Yamal to take the ball, run in on goal and score. An early gift for the world champions!
Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring against England
9: NO GOAL! Ferran Torres heads in after a corner which comes from a Myles Lewis-Skelly misplaced pass. But the Spain forward is flagged offside.
16: BIG SAVE! James Trafford saves a one-on-one with Ferran Torres after England’s defence is cut wide open.
27: HUGE CHANCE! But Ferran Torres sends his shot wide of the goal after Rodri plays him in following a Lamine Yamal interception from Elliot Anderson’s pass.
36: GOAL! Anthony Gordon combines with Jude Bellingham before completing an exceptional counter-attack move to level the match.
Anthony Gordon celebrates his equaliser for England against Spain at Wembley
39: SO CLOSE! Harry Kane drops to his knees as his shot flies narrowly wide as England almost grab a quickfire second. The home fans inside Wembley roar their team forwards.
40: ENGLAND LEAD! An incredible transformation in mood, momentum and scoreline as Kane heads in Nico O’Reilly’s cross despite Marc Cucurella’s attempts to block.
45: CROSSBAR! Cucurella’s mis-hit cross kisses the face of the England crossbar.
54: PENALTY MISS! Rodri is punished after a VAR check for his challenge on Bellingham in the box… but Kane slips as he takes the spot-kick and fires it against the bar!
60: GOAL! Spain punish Kane’s miss when they pounce on an error from O’Reilly and tee up sub Alex Baena to clip in the equaliser from the edge of the box.
74: GOAL! England drop deep under pressure but it’s a through pass from Baena which releases Mikel Oyarzabal to tuck away the eventual winner.
Analysis: A statement win slips away from England
Sky Sports News’ Rob Dorsett at Wembley:
“One captain’s slip, one memorable scalp that slipped away. A missed penalty and a missed opportunity for England. Though it’s hard to argue that Spain weren’t the far superior side over 90 minutes.
“The world champions could have been out of sight within 30 minutes, after a dominant display of their prowess. And a couple of self-destructive England passes. The fact that Spain were only a goal ahead, gave England hope and it was a brilliant 10-minute spell that saw England grab the lead. Firstly a brilliant goal from their best player on the night, Anthony Gordon, and then from captain Kane with a header.
“The home side started the second half really well but when Kane missed from the spot to give England a two-goal lead, Spain sensed blood. Their response with strikes from Yamal and Baena was decisive and deserved.
“A defeat with some merit then, for Tuchel’s England. But there still seemed to be a gulf in class.”
What the result means and next fixtures…
England’s upcoming Nations League Group A3 fixtures
Tuesday September 29: Czech Republic (A), kick-off 7.45pm
Saturday October 3: Croatia (A), kick-off 5pm
Tuesday October 6: Czech Republic (H), kick-off 7.45pm
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
