Spain announced themselves as reigning world champions in the cruelest way possible on Saturday, coming from behind to beat England 3-2 in a wild UEFA Nations League opener at Wembley Stadium. If anyone thought the World Cup winners would ease into the new season, England made sure that fantasy died in the second minute.
A Lightning Start From La Roja
A Marc Guehi error handed Lamine Yamal a gift in the second minute, and the teenager made no mistake, sending Spain 1-0 up before the Wembley crowd had settled into their seats. It looked like the perfect statement of intent from the World Cup champions. England, though, had other plans.
England Fight Back, Then It All Unravels
Thomas Tuchel’s side responded with fire. Jude Bellingham set up an Anthony Gordon equalizer, before Harry Kane converted a Nico O’Reilly cross to put England 2-1 ahead, and for a moment Wembley believed this was going to be a statement night for the Three Lions instead.
Kane even had a chance to put daylight between the sides from the penalty spot, but he smashed the spot-kick against the crossbar, a miss that would come back to haunt England before the night was out.
Spain’s Bench Delivers the Sucker Punch
That is when Spain reminded everyone why they are wearing the World Cup crown. Alex Baena came off the bench to score and then set up Mikel Oyarzabal’s winner with a brilliant through ball in the second half, completing a stunning 3-2 comeback. Dani Olmo turned provider for Baena’s leveler before Baena returned the favor with the assist that sent Spain back in front for good in the 74th minute. NBC Sports
By full time, Spain had turned a game they were losing into another entry on an already remarkable run. The win at Wembley stretched Spain’s unbeaten streak to 39 games, a number that should terrify the rest of Europe heading into this Nations League campaign. ESPN
What This Loss Means for England
For England, this was supposed to be a reset. Tuchel’s men were back in action ten weeks after their agonizing World Cup semifinal collapse to Argentina, hoping to lift the mood against the very side that had beaten them in the Euro 2024 final. Instead, old ghosts resurfaced. England had the game in their hands at 2-1 and could not close it out, a familiar story that will fuel more questions about Tuchel’s project heading into the November window. ESPN
The Bigger Picture
This was billed by many as a preview of a final that never happened, since England’s own World Cup run ended in the semifinals against Argentina. On this evidence, Spain would have been worthy of another crown. Yamal’s movement, Baena’s composure off the bench, and Oyarzabal’s clinical finish all pointed to a squad that simply knows how to win, even when it is not at its best.
England will regroup and point to spells of real quality, especially through Gordon and Bellingham, but three points slipping away at home to the world champions is the kind of result that lingers. Spain, on the other hand, just keep collecting nights like this one, and the rest of the continent is running out of answers.
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