Spain edge England 3-2 at Wembley to extend unbeaten run

Spain extended their unbeaten run to 39 matches after defeating England 3-2 at Wembley in the opening round of Group C in the top tier of the Nations League.

Lamine Yamal, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal scored for the visitors, while England’s goals came from Anthony Gordon and an own goal by Marc Cucurella.

The result gave Spain three points at the start of their Group C campaign, while England were left to reflect on a match in which Harry Kane missed a penalty.

Spain took the lead after only two minutes when Yamal capitalised on an error by England defender Marc Guehi before firing into the home side’s net. It was the third-fastest goal England have conceded at Wembley, with the only quicker strikes arriving in the first minute against Scotland in 1957 and Hungary in 1953.

England responded positively. Gordon tested Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon with a powerful effort after six minutes, while James Trafford denied Ferran Torres following a precise pass from Yamal in the 16th minute.

Torres missed another one-on-one opportunity in the 28th minute, sending his shot wide, before Gordon equalised nine minutes later. The England forward produced an impressive run and exchanged passes with Jude Bellingham before finishing past Simon.

Kane then sent an effort just wide of Simon’s right-hand post in the 39th minute, but England completed the turnaround before half-time. A ball from Kane struck Cucurella and went into Spain’s goal to give the hosts a 2-1 lead at the break.

England were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute after Bellingham went down following a challenge from Rodri. The referee awarded the spot-kick after reviewing the incident on the video assistant referee system.

Kane, however, struck the post with his penalty two minutes later.

Spain missed a chance to level when Yamal somehow failed to convert Baena’s inviting cross in front of goal in the 60th minute. But Baena made amends soon afterwards, unleashing a powerful shot beyond Trafford after being set up by Dani Olmo in the 61st minute.

Oyarzabal completed Spain’s comeback 14 minutes later. Baena supplied the pass and Oyarzabal finished past Trafford to restore Spain’s lead.

Spain’s two goals against England were more than the side conceded at the 2026 World Cup, where they allowed only one goal.

Spain will face Croatia on Tuesday in their second Group C match, while England will meet Czech Republic on the same day.