England winger Gordon on defeat to Spain: You cannot make those mistakes at the top level | OneFootball

Anthony Gordon insists there is no major gap between England and Spain despite the Three Lions’ 3-2 defeat, but admits costly mistakes proved decisive against one of the world’s best sides.

The England winger felt Thomas Tuchel’s side did themselves proud with their overall performance, but said they handed Spain too many opportunities at the highest level.

“Sometimes you’re going to lose games against the best teams in the world,” Gordon said.

“The mixed [emotions] bit comes from the mistakes. I felt like we gave them probably all of their goals in a way.

“Obviously they were taken really well but if we can just clean that up [we’ll win].

“But that’s football. If I keep coming out every time we lose and saying we need to do this and that, then you’re expecting a perfect game, and if you’re playing the best in the world, chances are you’re not going to be perfect.”

Gordon also praised Spain’s ability to control matches, but argued England have different qualities which can be just as effective.

“They’re incredible at it, they are the best,” he said.

“It doesn’t mean we’re not good at it, we’re good, we’re just not as good as them in my opinion.

“But we’re better at other things. I think my goal summed that up, how direct we were, how fast we went from one goal to the other.

“That’s what I was talking about, that direct style of play, which is also neat and tidy just in our own English way.”

Despite the defeat, Gordon rejected suggestions there is a significant gulf between the two teams and instead pointed to fine margins.

“For me, there isn’t a gap. There’s just moments. Who takes the moments better?” he added.

“And tonight, we gave them moments which at the very, very highest level, you cannot do.

“If you want to win football matches, you can’t do that. Very proud of how we performed and the goals we scored, but if you really want to win at the highest level, we can’t make those mistakes.”