England lose 3-2 to Spain at Wembley in Nations League opener after late second-half collapse

England conceded two late second-half goals to lose 3-2 to Spain at Wembley in their Nations League opener on Saturday.

For the second time in recent high-profile matches — after a game against Argentina in Atlanta in July — England took the lead only to see the game turn against them around the 55th minute, a pattern noted before this fixture amid calls for systems and repeatability under Thomas Tuchel.

Spain struck almost immediately when Marc Guéhi’s error led to a smart finish by Yamine Lamal, and for periods the visitors imposed themselves through probing chances from Ferran Torres and the control of Rodri.

England responded with energetic pressing and physical moments, including Jarell Quansah smashing a shot into Marc Cucurella’s face, and levelled through a 36th-minute counter finished by Anthony Gordon after a tackle from Elliot Anderson and a surge and pass from Jude Bellingham; the crowd began to sing the Tuchel song — “Foot-ball’s coming home uh-gain – with Thom-as Tuch-el”.

On 54 minutes a lengthy VAR review produced a penalty for a trip on Jude Bellingham that was “combined also with a dive, but trip plus dive does not cancel trip.” Harry Kane had already scored England’s second goal; he waited a little longer than usual, slipped on his standing leg as he planted it and pumped the kick on to the bar, and 54 ticked over into 55 minutes as Tuchel gestured on the touchline in his blue gilet.

After 55 minutes Spain regained control, drawing level within five minutes and going 3-2 up 14 minutes later; both of Spain’s decisive goals were either made or scored by Luis de la Fuente’s two attacking substitutes, neither of whom looked much like Dan Burn. On 70 minutes both teams introduced midfielders — Pedri for Spain and James Garner for England — with Pedri immediately influential as Spain featured Pedri, Rodri and Dani Olmo together in midfield, leaving England chasing the game despite continued front-foot play.

There was no resort to long-ball panic and England created some decent late chances, and while the result continued the recent pattern of late second-half turnovers against top opposition, this was at least some kind of progress.