Spain came from behind to beat England 3-2 in a dramatic Nations League encounter at Wembley on Saturday, extending their remarkable unbeaten run to 39 matches in regular time — a record for any European national team. The result, Spain's first as newly crowned world champions, denied England a morale-boosting win on home soil and underlined La Roja's continued dominance in international football.
The hosts endured a nightmarish opening when teenager Lamine Yamal capitalised on a glaring error by defender Marc Guehi, who inexplicably turned the ball back toward his own goalkeeper in the second minute, allowing Yamal to collect it and curl a composed left-footed finish off the inside of the post. Spain pressed for more, with Ferran Torres having a goal ruled out for offside and squandering a one-on-one opportunity, while Dani Olmo flashed wide after a clever flick from Yamal. England, however, steadied themselves and mounted a spirited response in the final quarter of the first half. Anthony Gordon — the Barcelona winger who had joined the club this season — finished a sharp counter-attack to level, and minutes later Harry Kane headed home a cross that deflected in off Spain defender Marc Cucurella to put England 2-1 ahead.
The momentum shifted again after the break. Kane had the chance to put the game beyond reach when a VAR check confirmed a Rodri foul on Jude Bellingham, but the England captain slipped as he struck the penalty and watched his shot crash against the crossbar. Spain punished the miss ruthlessly. Substitute Álex Baena equalised on the hour after England midfielder Nico O'Reilly lost the ball to Dani Olmo, and Baena then turned provider for fellow substitute Mikel Oyarzabal — Spain's top scorer at the World Cup — who dinked the ball coolly over goalkeeper James Trafford to complete the comeback.
The defeat is a sobering moment for England manager Thomas Tuchel, the German coach who took charge of the national side following their World Cup semifinal exit to Argentina. Tuchel had played down expectations before the match, but defensive fragility and the missed penalty will give him clear areas to address. For Spain, the win reinforces their status as the dominant force in world football, with their only defeat in this period coming on penalties to Portugal in last year's Nations League final — their unbeaten record in ninety minutes remains firmly intact.