Spain score first and finish strong in a 3–2 win over England

England’s 3–2 defeat by Spain at Wembley hurts because, for a while, this was a game they had turned around.

Lamine Yamal struck in the second minute, but Anthony Gordon equalised in the 36th and Harry Kane put England ahead four minutes later. A difficult opening had become a halftime lead, with a chance to make the evening something more than another test against Spain.

Then came the moment England will replay: Kane’s 54th-minute penalty hit the crossbar. The opportunity to lead 3–1 disappeared. Spain’s substitutes supplied the response, with Álex Baena equalising on the hour and Mikel Oyarzabal scoring the winner in the 74th minute.

The reaction should leave room for both frustration and perspective. England showed they could recover from an early setback and score twice. They also left Wembley without a point after failing to turn their advantage into control.

For Spain, the result underlined the value of a bench capable of changing a match. For Thomas Tuchel’s England, it leaves a sharper question than whether they can compete: can they finish the job when the opportunity is there?

Tonight, the difference between promise and a result was painfully clear. England had reasons to believe. Spain took the points home.