Spain punish England in Nations League opener
by Writer SL · KickOffWorld champions Spain made a winning start to their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 3-2 win over England at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening.
UEFA Nations League
Teams: England v Spain
Result: 2-3
Scorers: Gordon (36'), Kane (40') / Yamal (2'), Baena (60'), Oyarzabal (74')
The English were back at it three months after winning bronze at the FIFA World Cup finals in North America and were up against La Roja, who went all the way at to claim their second World Cup title.
It was the worst possible start for the Three Lions in the opening minute when Marc Guehi conceded possession in his own half to Lamine Yama, whol intercepted, nudged forward and fired in off the far post.
England were sliced open again ten minutes gone after Ferran Torres beat the offside trap to get in-behind the defence and attempted a point-blank finish, but goalkeeper James Trafford came up big with a vital save.
England came into their own after a disjointed start and were on level terms ten minutes to halftime as Bellingham caught the visitors out on the break and drilled a precised forward pass through to Anthony Gordon to slot in the near corner of the net.
La Roja capitulated once more five minutes later after more uncertain piece of defending allowed Harry Kane to get onto a pin-point cross by Nico O’Reilly from the left-side and headed into the bottom-corner with Marc Cucurella unable to keep it out.
The Real Madrid defender almost made amends on the stroke of the interval when he underlapped out wide to get to the inside left of the area and stung the upright with a cleverly drilled cross-cum shot.
Second Half:
Spain remained under intense pressure five minutes following the second half and conceded a penalty after a foul on Bellingham by Rodri, but Kane failed to take advantage and steered the resultant spot-kick against the top of the woodwork.
It proved costly for the Three Lions as the World champions levelled it up six minutes later when substitute Alex Baena capitalised on a loose ball outside the area and powered into the bottom-corner.
The Three Lions refreshed their personal in the closing twenty minutes and removed Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gordon to bring on Anthony Gardner and Morgan Rogers.
La Roja regained control in superb style five minutes thereafter when a patient passing move had Baena come short to collect and go on the half-turn to find Mikel Oyarzabal to slot into the bottom-corner over the on-rushing Trafford.
England were unable to master a response to going behind despite a strong finish to the end of the encounter as La Roja walked away victorious and got their campaign off to the perfect start.