Baena and Oyarzabal Spark Spain's 3-2 Win at Wembley

Spain overturned a first-half deficit to beat England 3-2 in a Nations League thriller at Wembley, with substitutes Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal transforming the contest after the break. Baena struck Spain’s equaliser on the hour from Dani Olmo’s pass, then set up Oyarzabal for the 74th-minute winner after arriving in the 58th minute.

Lamine Yamal had put Spain ahead inside two minutes with a composed finish, but England recovered through Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane. Kane’s 40th-minute goal came via a deflection off Marc Cucurella, while Rodri later conceded a penalty for fouling Jude Bellingham in the 53rd minute. Kane failed to convert from the spot, a miss that proved decisive as Spain regained control.

Coach Luis de la Fuente made his key call before the hour, removing Nico Williams and Ferran Torres for Baena and Oyarzabal. Torres had been lively in a central role but missed two clear one-on-one openings before his withdrawal. Oyarzabal gave Spain the attacking reference point they had lacked, while Baena delivered an immediate match-changing contribution: a goal six minutes after coming on, followed by the assist for the decisive strike.

Olmo was Spain’s leading creative force, repeatedly finding spaces between England’s midfield and defence before supplying the equaliser. Rodri, despite the penalty concession, anchored the comeback and kept Spain playing through pressure, with Fabian Ruiz providing balance until Pedri replaced him in the 70th minute. Pedri helped slow the match down and retain possession, while Mikel Merino came on in the 82nd minute to reinforce midfield protection.

Spain finished with 51% of the ball and completed 506 passes, using possession to withstand England’s late push. England managed 14 attempts, five of them on target, but Spain’s defensive work held up in the closing stages, with 22 clearances and 20 interceptions across the side. Unai Simon made three saves and played an important role with his passing under the press.

Aymeric Laporte was central to that defensive resistance, cutting out passes aimed towards Kane and launching Spain’s build-up from the back. Pau Cubarsi endured a demanding physical contest against the England captain but grew into the match, while young right-back Marc Pubill had difficult moments against Gordon’s movement before contributing more effectively during Spain’s stronger second half. Cucurella improved after a troublesome opening period and helped deal with the late wave of crosses.

Yamal remained a threat in transition even when England enjoyed their best spell, while Williams stretched the pitch before his substitution. Spain registered seven counter-attacks, but their late management came through keeping the ball rather than chasing a fourth goal.

The win was driven by De la Fuente’s double change and Spain’s control after falling behind. Baena finished with one goal and one assist, Oyarzabal delivered the winner, and Spain left Wembley with all three points after a dramatic 3-2 comeback.