Spain showed why they are the best national team in the world by emerging 3-2 winners in a thrilling, chaotic Nations League clash at Wembley, in which England's flaws undermined their exciting attacking play. It was the World Cup final that might have been had England not squandered their advantage against Argentina this summer - but Spain showed the gap in quality in a result which is a major blow to Thomas Tuchel's stated aim of winning this competition. Bad errors from Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly helped Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena score Spain's first two and England were cut open through the match, including for Mikel Oyarzabal's winner which came with 16 minutes to play.
But while England's defence suffered, there was brilliant forward play, too. Anthony Gordon had urged England to lean into their traditional strengths this week and they did just that with an exceptional counter-attack to make it 1-1, which saw the winger combine with Jude Bellingham before precisely applying the finish. Harry Kane's header from O'Reilly's cross made it 2-1 and capped an incredible transformation in the match.
In four minutes, Spain had conceded more goals than in their eight World Cup games combined. Croatia won 2-1 away to Czech Republic in the other A3 Nations League game on Saturday, meaning England are third in the group. There was then a pivotal moment, when England were awarded a penalty at the start of the second half, when Rodri was judged to have fouled Bellingham, following a VAR check.
But Kane slipped and sent his spot-kick against the bar - and Spain capitalised. Ferran Torres may have passed up two one-on-one chances in the first half, but Spain were clinical after the missed spot-kick to go top of Nations League Group A3. With this result, Spain's record-breaking unbeaten streak is also extended to 39 games.
England will now have to find a way to beat them in Madrid in November - and win against Czech Republic and Croatia in the meantime - if they are to make it to the Nations League finals and show they are capable of toppling the best when it matters. Lamine Yamal scored the third quickest goal England have ever conceded at Wembley Stadium, behind only first minute goals for Scotland in 1957 and Hungary in 1953. 2: GOAL! Marc Guehi's blunder allows Lamine Yamal to take the ball, run in on goal and score.
An early gift for the world champions! 9: NO GOAL! Ferran Torres heads in after a corner which comes from a Myles Lewis-Skelly misplaced pass. But the Spain forward is flagged offside. 16: BIG SAVE!
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