England 2-3 Spain: brilliant comeback in the Nations League | OneFootball

Spain made their debut in this Nations League as reigning World Champions and runners-up in the last Nations League. Facing them was an England side that promised to put up a fight on the opening matchday of the continental competition’s group stage. Wembley, a beautiful stage on which to show off the two stars for the first time.

The match began with a goal for the Spanish side. In the 2nd minute, a serious mistake by Guéhi while playing out from the back gifted the ball to Lamine Yamal, who went through on Trafford and finished with his left foot, placing the ball just inside the post to make it 0-1. Shortly after, Ferran Torres scored the second, although the goal was ruled out for offside.

England responded and began to get closer to Unai Simón’s area, but Spain found space on the counterattack. In the 16th minute, Lamine played Ferran clean through on Trafford, but the goalkeeper prevented the second. The forward missed another chance in the 27th minute, when he beat the centre-backs for pace and dragged his shot too far across goal. England replied through Saka and Bellingham, while Dani Olmo also came close after a spectacular backheel from Lamine.

Everything changed in the 36th minute. Nico Williams slipped as Spain attacked following a corner and England launched a quick transition. Bellingham combined with Anthony Gordon and the winger beat Unai Simón to make it 1-1.

Just four minutes later came the turnaround. O'Reilly crossed from the left, Kane got a touch, and Cucurella ended up turning the ball into his own net as he tried to leave it for Unai Simón. Spain responded before half-time: Fabián forced the defence into action and, in the 45th minute, a cross from Cucurella took a wicked touch and ended up striking the post. The 2-1 scoreline, however, remained at the break.

Quansah had a chance in the 48th minute. A cross from Bellingham and the Leverkusen player headed badly, sending the ball over the crossbar. It was a very clear chance, as the full-back was unmarked.

England were on top. Spain were struggling to link passes in midfield and the English were getting into the final third with ease.

Penalty in the 51st minute for England. Bellingham went down after slight contact from Rodri. After a VAR review, the referee pointed to the spot. It did not seem like a penalty given how minimal the contact was and the Englishman’s intent to go down.

Harry Kane was tasked with taking the penalty. In the 54th minute, the Bayern Munich player struck it and smashed the ball against the crossbar. It would not have counted anyway, as Kane touched the ball twice — once when shooting and again with his standing foot.

Lamine Yamal had the equaliser at his feet. A great combination between him and Álex Baena, but the Mataró-born player could not finish properly and sent the ball wide.

Baena the game-changer. In the 60th minute he received the ball on the edge of the area, controlled it and finished with his right foot into the corner. 2-2 at England’s best moment of the match.

Saka could have scored a stunner. A fine move from Jude Bellingham ended with a pass to the Arsenal player. Saka shot with his left foot looking for the top corner but could not keep his effort on target.

Spain looked more comfortable as the minutes passed. Luis de la Fuente’s men slowed the tempo and took control of possession. Stringing passes together, Álex Baena slipped a superb ball through to Oyarzabal. The Basque chipped it to make it 2-3 in the 75th minute. A brilliant goal from the national team.

Spain improved enormously once they got hold of the ball. They moved it around at great speed and the England team could not create dangerous chances.

Controversy at Wembley. Saka drove into the box and Cucurella stuck out a leg, making contact with the winger, who went to ground. The referee gave nothing and VAR, after reviewing it, did not intervene either. Although Cucurella had got himself goal-side of Saka, this looked more like a penalty than the one given against Rodri.

England pushed in the closing minutes, but they did not overly trouble Spain either. A match with a narrow scoreline, but one Spain controlled in the final stages.

The match ended with three points for Spain in the Nations League group stage. Luis de la Fuente’s men were better than an inconsistent England.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.