England Nations League campaign start with a loss as World Cup holders Spain beat dem 3-2 inside Wembley. The match sweet but painful for England. Spain score inside two minutes when Lamine Yamal collect Marc Guehi error and slot past James Trafford.
England survive several close calls before Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane score quick quick to give dem unlikely lead before half-time. Gordon run clear beat Unai Simon with cool finish after 36 minutes. Kane add England second four minutes later as him header deflect in off Marc Cucurella. England suddenly push Spain back.
But Kane miss penalty early second half after Jude Bellingham brought down for box, after VAR intervention, Rodri foul. Kane slip as him take kick, touch ball twice before hit bar. That miss leave door open.
Spain equalise on hour. Nico O’Reilly lose possession, substitute Alex Baena beat Trafford low from edge of area. Spain regain lead with 16 minutes left. Slick move finished by Mikel Oyarzabal, who score winner against England in Euro 2024 final, lift delicate finish over Trafford.
Anthony Gordon tell ITV Sport say e think na missed chance. E say great game to watch and play, attacking play highest level, but mistakes cost you. E say if Kane penalty go in, England fit win, puts us great position to get more. E say penalties happen, Kane never really miss so we let him off.
Gordon also talk about him goal as epitome of England style. E say if you want phrase am that way, direct and English style, quick, put teams on back foot. E say e sum up wetin e talk but ultimately no lead to victory. E say e no think there is gap to Spain, feel right there, can win that game so easily. If penalty goes in we can go on and win. E say England top team.
Paul Robinson, former England goalkeeper, tell BBC Radio 5 Live at Wembley say two sides to England performance. Side susceptible defensively, but two Spain goals come from England errors wey could avoid. Thomas Tuchel go take heart from how England get back into it. Tuchel go take from this say team get heart and fight. But once again we dey talk about 90 minute performance. They good and probably better team for large spells but not over whole game.
Matt Upson, former England defender, tell BBC Radio 5 Live at Wembley say Morgan Rogers put one decent ball in but switch from Anthony Gordon to Rogers no work out well for Thomas Tuchel.
Other group game, Croatia beat Czech Republic 2-1 to win three points in opening group game.
Fans react. Jon from West Malling say we dey close England, penalty miss and two defensive errors. Spain had few chances but this na European and World Champions, we do OK despite loss. James from Essex say England undone by own errors tonight. Positive performance but if we go compete with these teams we need stop silly mistakes. Jose from Spain say e live for England, e see how clubs and national team try copy Spain style, but they need realise they can be good at it but not better than Spain.
Late England push. Jude Bellingham fire one off at near post, tipped over bar by Unai Simon. Elliott Anderson free-kick delivery poor and gathered with ease by Unai Simon. Alex Baena bring down Morgan Rogers, England win late free-kick in decent spot. Corner comes to nothing.
Substitutions. Jarrad Branthwaite replace Marc Guehi. Thomas Tuchel take Harry Kane off, something e reluctant to do during World Cup. Bukayo Saka and Harry Kane make way for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Morgan Gibbs-White. For Spain, Dani Olmo replaced by Mikel Merino.
For Spain, the unbeaten run don reach 39 games and still counting.
