Spain overturned England’s advantage in a breathless Wembley contest, recovering from a difficult first half to take control through the late influence of Álex Baena, Pedri and Mikel Oyarzabal. Lamine Yamal supplied the early spark, but it was Spain’s response after being unsettled by England’s power and pressing that decided the night.
What the night decided
England made Spain suffer, with Anthony Gordon outstanding and Harry Kane repeatedly testing a defence led by Pau Cubarsí and Aymeric Laporte. Gordon found the net, while Marc Cucurella endured a painful moment when he turned a weak Kane effort into his own goal after appearing to try to bring the ball under control.
Yet Spain did not fold. Rodri, unusually loose in possession during the opening phases and responsible for the foul on Jude Bellingham that brought England a penalty, grew into the game after Kane struck the bar from the spot. Spain’s midfielder then helped drive the recovery as England began to lose its structure.
Baena changed the contest decisively. The midfielder produced an audacious backheel to create a chance for Yamal, scored superbly from outside the area and then supplied Oyarzabal, whose delicate chipped finish sealed his impact after coming on specifically to find a goal.
Pedri also brought calm when introduced in the final third of the match, dictating possession as England became increasingly stretched. Mikel Merino provided his usual balance, protecting the ball and helping Spain see out the decisive stages.
Spain’s recovery from a difficult opening
Yamal had looked capable of defining the match from the outset. He scored with cleverness early on, linked sharply with Dani Olmo and created danger throughout. Olmo went close with a low angled effort after a pass from the teenage forward, while Yamal also produced a backheel that underlined his influence.
Nico Williams was another persistent outlet. Although his slip contributed to the move that produced England’s opening goal, he responded by stretching the defence and supplying Yamal with an opportunity that narrowly failed to end in a finish.
Fabián Ruiz had to work through a midfield battle Spain did not initially control. With England leading 2-1, he came close to restoring parity before half-time, his shot passing narrowly wide for a corner.
Ferran Torres, selected unexpectedly after his strong start to the season with Paris Saint-Germain, could have left with a hat-trick. One goal was disallowed and he missed two further openings: first hesitating after believing he was offside, then failing to find the target after a powerful run.
Defence, errors and the key saves
Unai Simón overcame an awkward early moment when he rescued a difficult Cucurella pass near the corner flag using his head and chest. He had little chance against Gordon and could do little about Cucurella’s own goal, but commanded aerial deliveries confidently and made an important late save.
Cucurella had largely contained Bukayo Saka before his error and later struck the crossbar with an effort that appeared intended as a cross. Pubill, the surprise starter after Eric García’s fitness issue, was exposed at times by Gordon but supported the attack with character as Spain improved.
Cubarsí and Laporte held together under sustained physical pressure. Cubarsí made several timely interventions against Kane, while the experienced Laporte gave Spain authority in the air against an England side built to impose itself physically.
The comeback ultimately belonged to Spain’s attacking depth: Yamal’s imagination, Baena’s decisive quality, Pedri’s control and Oyarzabal’s finish turned a night that had been slipping away into a statement recovery at Wembley.
