England began their Nations League campaign on a losing note, falling to World Cup champions Spain in a thrilling clash at Wembley.
Spain took the lead within two minutes, with Lamine Yamal capitalizing on Marc Guehi’s mistake and finishing past James Trafford.
England survived a number of nervy moments before Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane struck in quick succession, handing them an unlikely lead just before the interval.
Yet Kane missed a crucial penalty early in the second half, after Jude Bellingham was fouled in the area, leaving the door open for the visitors.
Substitute Alex Baena pounced on Nico O’Reilly’s error to level the score before Mikel Oyarzabal capped a clinical move with a beautifully dinked finish for the winner.
The win stretches Spain’s unbeaten streak to 39 matches, while England must take lessons from this loss.
Thomas Tuchel’s team need to play with greater aggression and eliminate the individual errors that will always be punished against opposition as good as Spain.
The world champions took an early lead through a Guehi blunder, as he inexplicably turned into danger—and worse still, straight into Lamine Yamal, who beat Trafford, standing in for Jordan Pickford, with ease.
England were living dangerously, and Spain could have been out of reach, with Ferran Torres having a goal disallowed for offside, forcing a fine save from Trafford, and then rolling a finish wide when clean through.
When England at last went more direct, it paid off as they flipped the game on its head to lead before the break.
The superb Gordon broke clear to beat Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon with a composed finish after 36 minutes, before Kane added England’s second four minutes later as his header deflected in off Marc Cucurella.
England suddenly had Spain on the back foot but squandered a golden chance to extend their lead after 55 minutes when a penalty was given for Rodri’s foul on Bellingham following a Video Assistant Referee review.
Kane, usually so dependable, slipped as he stepped up to take the kick, actually touching the ball twice before striking the bar.
Once more, an error cost England as Spain equalized on the hour. This time O’Reilly was at fault, losing possession before substitute Baena beat Trafford low down from the edge of the box.
Spain had rediscovered their composure and also their lead with 16 minutes remaining, a slick move finished by Oyarzabal—who scored the winner against England in the Euro 2024 final—lifting a delicate finish over Trafford.
England paid the price for basic mistakes that always risk being punished at the international level—particularly when the opposition is the best team in world football.
Guehi’s gift to Lamine Yamal set England back almost immediately, and only Spain’s wastefulness in front of goal kept the game from being settled before the break.
England showed resolve and a more positive approach to move ahead, but once again caused their own downfall to derail their chances of victory—Kane uncharacteristically missed from the spot, and O’Reilly gave away possession before Baena’s equalizer.
Spain then seized control of the game, and even a late surge was not enough to earn England a point.
