England and Spain clashed at Wembley Stadium in a thrilling encounter that ended 3-2 in favor of the visitors, who staged a remarkable comeback. Both Golden Ball contenders, Harry Kane and Lamin Yamal, found the net, but Kane’s missed penalty proved pivotal, swinging the momentum away from the hosts.
Spain, sporting a refreshed emblem adorned with two championship stars, stunned the crowd just two minutes into the match. Marc Guehi failed to notice Lamin Yamal lurking behind him; the young forward dispossessed the England defender, broke free one-on-one, and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom far corner.
The home side struggled to regain composure as Ferran Torres squandered several clear-cut chances, repeatedly missing one-on-one opportunities with the goalkeeper. However, Spain’s wastefulness was punished shortly before halftime. After Nico Williams slipped near the Spanish penalty area, England launched a swift counterattack, culminating in Anthony Gordon coolly finishing a one-on-one chance. Four minutes later, England took the lead. Nico O’Riley delivered a cross from the left flank, Harry Kane headed the ball, and it deflected off Marc Cucurella‘s hip into the far corner, making it 2-1.
The second half began with a crucial moment as Kane’s penalty struck the crossbar. Had the England captain converted, Spain would have faced a tough uphill battle. In response, Luis de la Fuente immediately made a double substitution, a tactical move that soon paid dividends. In the 60th minute, Alex Baena found space at the edge of the box and expertly curled the ball into the bottom corner to level the score.
By the 74th minute, England’s defense finally cracked. Two incisive vertical passes sliced through the hosts’ backline, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to delicately chip the ball over the goalkeeper, putting Spain ahead 3-2.
This victory at Wembley provides Spain with a psychological edge and more. It’s possible these two teams could meet again at this iconic stadium in two years’ time during Euro 2028.
UEFA Nations League 2026-27
England – Spain 2:3 (2:1)
Goals: Yamal 2′ (0:1); Gordon 36′ (1:1); Kane 40′ (2:1); Baena 60′ (2:2); Oyarzabal 74′ (2:3)
England: Trafford; Lewis-Skelly (Garner D-s 70′); Konsa; Guehi (Branthwaite 89′); Quansa; Anderson E.; Saka B. (Gibbs-White 83′); Gordon E. (Rodgers M. 70′); O’Riley; Bellingham; Kane G. (Calvert-Lewin 83′)
Substitutions: Garner D-s (from 70′); Rodgers M. (from 70′); Gibbs-White (from 83′); Calvert-Lewin (from 83′); Branthwaite (from 89′)
Reserves: Pickford; Steele; Alexander-Arnold; Chalobah; Hall; Scott A.; Eze
Yellow cards: O’Riley 67′; Guehi 69′; Bellingham 81′
Spain: Simon U.; Cubarsi; Cucurella; Garcia E.; Laporte; Rodri; Fabian Ruiz (Pedri 70′); Olmo (Merino 82′); Yamal; Torres F. (Oyarzabal 55′); Williams Ni. (Baena A. 55′)
Substitutions: Baena A. (from 55′); Oyarzabal (from 55′); Pedri (from 70′); Merino (from 82′)
Reserves: Raya; Martinez H-p; Grimaldo; Huysen; Pubill; Subimendi; Fermin Lopez; Pino J.
