Spain secured a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over England at Wembley on Saturday, extending their remarkable unbeaten streak to 39 matches—a new record for any European national team. The reigning world champions were forced to fight back after a resilient England side, managed by Thomas Tuchel, responded to an early setback with an attacking display. Denying the hosts a cathartic win after their painful World Cup exit, world champions Spain came from behind to beat England 3-2 in an entertaining Nations League encounter at Wembley on Saturday. Victory for Luis de la Fuente’s men extends Spain’s astonishing unbeaten run to 39 matches – a record for a European team.
The visitors took an immediate lead in the second minute when Lamine Yamal capitalised on a defensive error. Manchester City defender Marc Guehi, attempting to clear the ball, turned back towards goalkeeper James Trafford, failing to spot Yamal lurking nearby. The teenage sensation intercepted the ball and curled a precise left-footed shot off the post into the net.
Despite the early deficit, England found their rhythm. Following a period where Spain threatened to extend their lead—including an offside goal by Ferran Torres and several saves by Trafford—the hosts mounted an effective counter-attack in the 36th minute. Anthony Gordon, playing for Barcelona, converted a swift team move initiated by Jude Bellingham to equalize.
The momentum shifted entirely four minutes later when Harry Kane headed home a cross from Nico O’Reilly, which took a decisive deflection off Marc Cucurella to put England in front. England’s shift toward a more adventurous style of play provided a stark contrast to the defensive criticisms they faced following their recent World Cup exit against Argentina.
The match turned again in the second half after England missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead. A VAR check awarded the hosts a penalty following a foul by Rodri on Bellingham, but Kane’s strike rattled the crossbar after the striker slipped during his approach. This proved a costly error for the home side. Crashing his shot against the bar, kane had a golden chance to give England a two-goal cushion from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half but slipped slightly.
Spain, who previously defeated England in the Euro 2024 final, capitalized on the reprieve. Substitutes Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal proved vital, punishing England’s defensive lapses. Baena leveled the score on the hour mark after O’Reilly surrendered possession to Dani Olmo, and the momentum allowed the visitors to complete their recovery.
Oyarzabal later provided the winning moment, expertly dinking the ball over Trafford to seal the 3-2 win. While Thomas Tuchel had played down the significance of the match as a new beginning for his squad, the defensive vulnerabilities shown by his team during the second half will be a source of significant concern as they look to rebuild. But he will have been dismayed by his team’s nervy start, england boss Thomas Tuchel was adamant ahead of the match that it did not signal a new start.
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