Spain Rally Past England 3-2 to Set European Unbeaten Record
Spain completed a 3-2 UEFA Nations League comeback against England at Wembley, with Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal scoring from the bench to take La Roja’s regular-time unbeaten run to a European-record 39 matches.
Spain’s bench changed the game at Wembley
Lamine Yamal gave the world champions a flying start, scoring inside two minutes. England responded through Anthony Gordon before Harry Kane’s header turned the match in the hosts’ favour before the interval.
Spain recovered after the break, though, and Kane’s missed penalty proved decisive. The England captain hit the crossbar from the spot, denying the home side the chance to stretch their lead.
Dani Olmo said that escape shifted the mood immediately. “It gave us energy,” he said. “Had he scored, it would have been much harder. He missed, and that allowed us to keep pressing and playing. That is how we did it.”
- Yamal struck within the opening two minutes to put Spain ahead.
- Gordon levelled for England, before Kane headed the hosts into the lead.
- Kane then sent a second-half penalty onto the crossbar.
- Baena and Oyarzabal came on and scored to complete Spain’s turnaround.
Half-time reset brought greater aggression
Olmo accepted Spain lost concentration when England scored twice, but said the response at half-time was clear: compete harder, press higher and move the ball forward with more purpose.
“We wanted to reset, be more aggressive with and without possession, win our duels and play more directly,” Olmo said.
The Barcelona forward highlighted coach Luis de la Fuente’s ability to alter the game and praised Baena and Oyarzabal for their instant influence. He also stressed that every member of the squad accepts their responsibility within a united dressing room.
“Mikel and Alex Baena are key players for us,” Olmo added. “We are like a family and everyone is focused on the same thing: winning.”
What Spain’s win means
- Spain have surpassed Italy’s previous European mark by going 39 games unbeaten in regular time.
- The result keeps De la Fuente’s side at the top of their Nations League group.
- Spain host Croatia in Seville on Tuesday evening in their second fixture.
- England head to Czechia on Tuesday seeking an immediate response to the Wembley defeat.
Spain now return home with their record intact and a chance to strengthen their grip on the group against Croatia. England, meanwhile, must quickly recover after allowing a second-half lead to disappear.
