Spain came from behind to beat England 3-2 at Wembley on Saturday and open their UEFA Nations League A campaign with a win, Mikel Oyarzabal's 74th-minute dink sealing the points after Harry Kane had missed a second-half penalty. Lamine Yamal's early gift, an Anthony Gordon equaliser and Kane's header had left the contest finely balanced before substitutes Álex Baena and Oyarzabal turned it Spain's way.
Match facts
- Result: England 2-3 Spain (half-time 2-1)
- Competition: UEFA Nations League A, Group 3, Matchday 1
- Venue: Wembley Stadium, London
- Scorers: England - A. Gordon 36', H. Kane 40'; Spain - Lamine Yamal 2', Álex Baena 60', Mikel Oyarzabal 74'
- Red cards: None
- Next: Czechia v England, Tuesday 29 September; Spain v Croatia, Tuesday 29 September
How the match unfolded
Spain struck inside two minutes. Marc Guéhi turned into trouble and into Lamine Yamal, who finished past James Trafford — starting in place of Jordan Pickford — to put the world and European champions ahead.
England then rode their luck. Ferran Torres had a goal ruled out for offside, forced a fine save from Trafford, and rolled a finish wide when clean through. Thomas Tuchel's side finally punished the visitors when they went more direct: Gordon raced clear after an end-to-end move and coolly beat Unai Simón in the 36th minute, Jude Bellingham providing the assist. Four minutes later Kane headed England in front, Nico O'Reilly the supplier, the ball deflecting in off Marc Cucurella — still credited to Kane on the BBC Sport match centre.
Early in the second half England had a chance to stretch the lead. After a VAR review, referee Davide Massa awarded a penalty for Rodri's foul on Bellingham around the 55th minute. Kane slipped as he struck, double-touched the ball and hit the bar.
Spain equalised on the hour. O'Reilly lost possession and substitute Baena — on with Oyarzabal at 55 minutes — beat Trafford low from the edge of the area, Dani Olmo assisting. Sixteen minutes from time a slick move ended with Oyarzabal, the man who beat England in the Euro 2024 final, lifting a delicate finish over Trafford after Baena's assist.
England pressed late. Tuchel withdrew Kane and Bukayo Saka for Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Morgan Gibbs-White around the 83rd minute; Bellingham forced Simón into a tip-over in stoppage time, but Spain held on. There were no red cards. Spain's unbeaten run now stands at 39 matches.
What it means for Group 3
Spain sit top of League A Group 3 on three points after Matchday 1, level with Croatia — who beat Czechia 2-1 in Prague — on goal difference. England are third with none. The defeat underlines familiar themes for Tuchel: heart in recovery, but individual errors and a missed penalty punished by elite opposition.
Friday's League A openers elsewhere set a high bar: Kylian Mbappé scored then limped off as Zinédine Zidane's France beat Türkiye 1-0, and Belgium won 2-0 in Rome on Mark van Bommel's debut. France later confirmed Mbappé had left camp with a knee tendon injury.
What happens next
England visit Czechia on Tuesday 29 September. Spain host Croatia the same night. Both fixtures will shape early Group 3 positions before the October window.