A teenage masterclass, a missed penalty and a second-half collapse cost England dearly as Spain claimed a dramatic Nations League win.
By Andalo Christine Ingutia
Spain silenced Wembley yesterday with a pulsating 3–2 victory over England in a hard-fought UEFA Nations League Group A3 clash that swung dramatically in both directions before the visitors finally held their nerve to claim all three points on English soil.
It was Lamine Yamal who set the tone for the evening. The teenage forward punished an early England defensive lapse to fire Spain ahead after just two minutes, silencing a full house at Wembley and giving the visitors exactly the confident, early start they had worked so hard for.
England, playing in their first Nations League A campaign after winning League B last season, were not rattled for long. They gradually grew into the match and drew level in the 36th minute when Jude Bellingham slid a precise, incisive pass through to Anthony Gordon, who finished coolly to restore parity.
The equaliser sparked England into life. Four minutes later, captain Harry Kane added a second, rising to meet a cross from Nico O’Reilly and heading firmly into the net. From 1–0 down inside two minutes, England had turned the contest completely on its head. They held on to carry a 2–1 advantage into the break.
Spain, who entered this tournament looking to bounce back after losing to Portugal on penalties in the 2025 Nations League final, regrouped at half-time and came out with renewed purpose and greater intensity in the second half.
The pivotal moment arrived in the 53rd minute. England were awarded a penalty after a VAR review confirmed a foul on Bellingham, but Kane’s effort struck the crossbar. The reprieve was immediate and costly. Six minutes later, Spain were level. A heavy touch by O’Reilly surrendered possession cheaply, and Álex Baena seized on the mistake to curl a composed finish into the bottom corner — 2–2.
Spain sensed the shift and pressed for more. In the 73rd minute, substitute Mikel Oyarzabal found space in behind the England defence and finished with calm authority to put Spain 3–2 ahead. It was a goal that would prove decisive.
England threw players forward in search of a leveller, but Spain were composed and disciplined in closing out the win. Wembley fell quiet as the final whistle confirmed a 3–2 defeat for the hosts.
The result leaves England third in Group A3, level on points with Czech Republic but ahead on goal difference. Spain sit top alongside Croatia, who also took maximum points yesterday.
Both sides return to Nations League action on Monday, when England travel to face Czechia and Spain host Croatia. The two sides will then meet again in their reverse fixture on 15 November.
For Spain, it was a statement victory — a reminder that despite their setback in last year’s final, they remain among Europe’s most dangerous and resilient international sides. For England, the performance offered genuine encouragement in patches, but Kane’s missed penalty and a costly defensive lapse in the second half ultimately proved the difference between a famous comeback and a painful home defeat at Wembley.
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