Spain started their uefa nations league Mikel Oyarzabal once again played a decisive role in a thrilling 3-2 win over England at Wembley to help the world champions win a Euro 2024 final replay.
Spain was playing its first game since defeating Argentina 1-0 in the World Cup final. In just 104 seconds, Lamine Yamal took advantage of a defensive error to open the scoring.
Yamal’s goal was the third-quickest goal England have conceded at Wembley and he went on to create a series of chances that put the sides in danger of a crushing defeat in their first meeting since the European Cup final.
But Anthony Gordon’s fine strike gave England an equalizer before Harry Kane’s deflected header gave the home side the lead.
However, nine minutes into the second half, Kane’s mistake from the penalty spot triggered a Spanish team counterattack, and Alex Baena once again equalized the score.
And, as was the case in Berlin, when Spain beat England 2-1 to win the European title, substitute Oyarzabal made the decision in the 74th minute with a clinical finish that earned Spain a point and helped them extend an unbeaten run that stretches back to 39 games when they lost to Colombia in London in 2024.
The Three Lions regroup after Spain’s early rise
Spain grabbed the opener when Manchester City defender Marc Gueye turned towards his own goal under pressure from Yamal and ceded possession to the Barcelona superstar.
Yamal performed well in a one-on-one with James Trafford, calmly slotting the ball past the Leeds goalkeeper and firing just wide of the post.
Ferran Torres received a cross from Dani Olmo in the 9th minute, but was blocked by the offside flag, seemingly making it 2-0.
England continued to live dangerously and fortunately Torres missed two more chances to make it 2-0.
The PSG striker’s shot was blocked by Trafford and then made a critical error following Rodri’s powerful pass.
Spain went on to press for a second goal after Yamal’s impromptu effort set up Olmo’s shot, but his shot went just wide of the far post.
Spain were punished for their profligacy, while England made the most of their first clear opportunity to equalize with a brilliant counter-attack.
Elliot Anderson played a brilliant pass to former Newcastle United team-mate Gordon, who flicked a clever shot past Jude Bellingham into space. Bellingham responded by passing the ball back to Gordon, who eased past Unai Simon.
Gordon was once again involved as England completed their comeback.
Nico O’Reilly received the ball from the left wing and delivered a superb cross, which Kane met and Marc Cucurella inadvertently deflected into his own net.
Spain responded well to the turnaround and Fabian Ruiz was unlucky not to score a brilliant fourth goal of the first half as his shot went wide.
England pay penalty after Kane slips
England made a strong start to the second half when Jharel Quassa’s header hit the crossbar and Aymeric Laporte needed a last-ditch effort to stop Bukayo Saka’s shot, which looked set to pay off when Kane had a chance to double their advantage from 12 yards.
Referee Davide Massa initially dismissed Bellingham’s appeal after he was tripped by Rodri in the penalty area, but the Italian official pointed it out to the pitchside monitor after being instructed by VAR.
However, a mistake prevented Kane from making it 3-1. The Three Lions’ record goalscorer slipped when he touched the ball and accidentally kicked the ball twice when his shot hit the underside of the crossbar.
Moments after a serious mistake by Yamal, Baena compounded the pain by firing the ball into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area after O’Reilly had wastefully conceded the ball deep in the England half.
Saka’s arc went just wide as England tried to re-establish their lead, but the defense, which had never shown any solidity, was broken down again and Oyarzabal instead put Spain back in front.
Baena came to the fore again, the Atletico Madrid man latching onto a pass from Aymeric Laporte and turning to play for Oyarzabal, who repeated his Euro 2024 heroics by firing the ball past Trafford and settling an up-and-down game in the world champions’ favour.