Spain came from behind to beat England 3-2 at Wembley in their Nations League opener, with costly mistakes proving decisive for the Three Lions.
By: Tunji Okunlola
Spain came from behind to beat England 3-2 at Wembley in their Nations League opener, with costly individual errors proving decisive for the Three Lions against the World Cup holders.
Spain took the lead inside two minutes when Marc Guehi lost possession, allowing Lamine Yamal to pounce and beat England goalkeeper James Trafford.
England weathered further pressure before turning the game around just before half-time. Anthony Gordon levelled in the 36th minute, racing clear to finish calmly past Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon. Four minutes later, Harry Kane put England ahead when his header took a deflection off Marc Cucurella and crept in.
Spain continued to create chances after the break, but England had the opportunity to extend their lead when a penalty was awarded following a VAR review of Rodri’s foul on Jude Bellingham. Kane couldn’t convert: the England captain slipped as he struck the ball, appeared to touch it twice, and saw his effort cannon back off the crossbar.
Spain made England pay five minutes later. Nico O’Reilly lost possession, and substitute Álex Baena collected the loose ball before firing low past Trafford from the edge of the box to make it 2-2. The visitors completed their comeback with 16 minutes remaining, Mikel Oyarzabal finishing a slick passing move with a delicate effort lifted over Trafford; the same player who scored the winner when Spain beat England in the Euro 2024 final.
The win stretched Spain’s unbeaten run to 39 matches. England, meanwhile, were left to rue a string of individual errors that ultimately cost them the game.
Spain might have been out of sight before half-time: Ferran Torres had a goal ruled out for offside, was denied by a Trafford save, and later fired wide with the goal at his mercy. England’s response was more direct, and it produced two goals in as many key moments before the interval only for Kane’s missed penalty and O’Reilly’s lapse to hand the initiative straight back to Spain.
Thomas Tuchel’s side now travel to face the Czech Republic on Tuesday, while Spain host Croatia on the same day.
Tags: #England #Spain #Harry Kane #Wembley #Lamine #Mikel #Thomas Tuchel
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