World champions Spain punished two calamitous England defensive errors to claim a thrilling 3-2 victory at Wembley on Saturday, in the standout fixture of the opening round of the Nations League.
Yamal strikes early
Less than ten weeks after they hoisted the World Cup, Spain needed less than two minutes to take the lead. Teen sensation Lamine Yamal struck in the second minute after Marc Guehi was caught in possession deep inside his own half.
England's brief comeback
England turned the game on its head in a thrilling four-minute spell. Anthony Gordon's 36th-minute equaliser sparked a blistering period that culminated in captain Harry Kane heading the hosts in front.
England started the second half brightly and had a golden chance to extend the lead when Kane stepped up to take a penalty in the 54th minute — but his left foot slipped upon planting, and the shot crashed off the inside of the crossbar.
Substitutes seal it
Spain took full advantage of the reprieve. Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal entered the game in the 55th minute and jolted the champions back into gear. After a poor pass from Nico O'Reilly handed possession back, Baena curled in the equaliser in the 60th minute. Baena then turned provider, setting up Oyarzabal — who also scored the winner against England in the 2024 European Championship final — to chip cleverly over goalkeeper James Trafford for the 74th-minute decider.
The victory extends Spain's unbeaten run in 90 minutes to 39 matches, with their last defeat in regular time coming back in March 2024.
Elsewhere in Group A3
In Saturday's other Group A3 game, Croatia gave new manager Slaven Bilic a 2-1 victory over the Czech Republic. The 41-year-old captain Luka Modric put the visitors ahead two minutes after the break, and Marco Pasalic struck the decisive goal after Adam Karabec's 54th-minute reply. Scotland began life under new manager Sebastien Pocognoli with a 0-0 draw against Slovenia in Group B1.
Sources:
Reuters: World champions Spain punish England errors to win Nations League thriller at Wembley
USA Today: Yamal, Baena push Spain past England in first match after winning World Cup