Goals from Saul Niguez and Rodrigo Moreno helped
Spain cancel out an early Marcus Rashford opener to take victory at Wembley in their
UEFA Nations League Group A4 encounter.
This was the first game back in the country after the Nation
had been captivated by a new look England side who reached the semi-finals of
the Russia 2018 World Cup finals, and their was an air of optimism as the sides
took to the field against a Spanish side who had been knocked out of the World
Cup in the last sixteen against the hosts.
Despite this though the Spanish side have a wealth of talent
in their squad and would certainly prove a mighty tough assignment for the
England side.
Just before kick-off Harry Kane was presented with the
golden boot for the World Cup after his six goals in the tournament saw his top
the scoring charts in Russia, and the buoyant mood inside the stadium rose a
notch or two when a sweeping move from the hosts saw Luke Shaw cross
brilliantly for Rashford to side foot past David De Gea and put the hosts one
goal ahead.
But the joy soon turned to despair as Spain struck back
almost instantly as Saul struck a loose ball into the corner via the hand of Jordan
Pickford, and thereafter the visitors, who looked far more accomplished and
quicker on the ball, began to give the hosts plenty to think about.
And just past the half hour mark the Spanish got themselves
in front when Rodrigo took advantage of some poor-marking to convert a free-kick
at the near post, and although Rashford almost netted a leveller but saw De Gea
save brilliantly, the visitors went into the break ahead and leaving England
with plenty to ponder in the changing room.
Half Time England 1
Spain 2
The start of the second period began in concerning circumstances
as Shaw suffered a head injury after an accidental collision with Dani Carvajal
and after lengthy treatment on the field the Manchester United full back with
stretchered off to warm applause from the crowd, and all were hoping he would
be fine, which he turned out to be later on.
That incident though kind of flattened the atmosphere in the
stadium somewhat and also the fact that Spain were now dominating possession
and the tempo of the contest, and England barely touched the ball in the opening
fifteen minutes of the half, and when they did gain possession kept on giving
it back to the visitors.
Spain though did not turn this dominance into much in the
way of chances, and England managed to get themselves back into the contest in
the final fifteen to twenty minutes saw them really put Spain under pressure.
Rashford should of scored when he burst into the box and
with just De Gea to beat hit the ball straight at him before Kane could only volley
the rebound into the side netting, and then saw a set-piece headed wide of the visitors
goal.
Nine minutes of stoppage time followed and deep into that
England thought they had levelled and rescued a point when Danny Welbeck, on as
a late substitute, went into a challenge with De Gea and saw the keeper drop
the ball under pressure and Welbeck turned and put the ball into the net, and
we all thought the goal had been given.
But the referee and assistant behind the goal decided Welbeck
had fouled the keeper and it meant the goal was chalked off, much to everyone’s
disgust in the England camp and home crowd.
It was certainly a controversial moment to end the game but it meant
Spain held on to take the points and inflict England’s first home competitive defeat
at Wembley since Croatia, ironically their next opponents for a competitive
fixture in November at Wembley, in 2007, a run of 24 games.
It was also Gareth Southgate’s first home defeat as manager
too, and he will know his side although a breath of fresh air and immensely talented,
still have a way to go to match the elite in world football, and this game was
a big reality check for this England side.
Lots to ponder going forward but plenty of positives to take too.
Full Time England 1
Spain 2
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