England 2-3 Spain: Baena leads World Cup champs to Nations League-opening win

Reigning World Cup champions Spain threw away an early lead than rallied all the way back for a 3-2 win over England in a terrific UEFA Nations League opener at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Marc Guehi’s early error gifted Lamine Yamal a chance to make it 1-0 in the second minute, but Jude Bellingham set up an Anthony Gordon equalizer before Harry Kane cashed in a Nico O’Reilly cross to make it 2-1.

MORE — UEFA Nations League groups, standings, schedule, scores

Spain would not be bowed, as Alex Baena came off the bench to score and set up Mikel Oyarzabal’s winner with a brilliant through ball in the second half.

This could’ve been the World Cup final had England overcome Argentina’s scrappy demands in the semifinal, and Thomas Tuchel’s men showed that a better match might’ve been on the cards in New Jersey.

England vs Spain final score: 2-3

Lamine Yamal 2', Anthony Gordon 36', Harry Kane 40', Alex Baena 60', Mikel Oyarzabal 74'

England vs Spain live updates

GOAL! England 2-3 Spain: Mikel Oyarzabal

An inquest at the back (and midfield as Oyazarbal puts Spain on top.

It’s so easy as Spain bypasses England’s entire midfield and back line with two simple ground passes starting from Baena.

Midfield changes

Pedri replaces Fabian Ruiz for Spain in the 70th minute.

For England, James Garner takes the spot of Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Morgan Rogers enters for Anthony Gordon.

GOAL! England 2-2 Spain: Alex Baena (video)

Off the bench and onto the score sheet.

Olmo sets up Baena for a shot from inside the arc and Trafford cannot get to the spinning effort through traffic.

Thomas Tuchel will think Baena had way too much time to cue up his finish.

Spain make some moves

Mikel Oyarzabal and Alex Baena come into the game in the 55th minute for Ferran Torres and Nico Williams, respectively.

England penalty MISS

The Three Lions win a penalty but Kane cannot convert and England’s lead stays one.

Bellingham won the penalty under minimal contact from Rodri, but VAR saw fit to send England to the spot and Kane hit the frame.

Halftime — England 2-1 Spain

Spain have been more dangerous — almost quadrupling England’s xG — but the Three Lions have been clinical.

Shots are 8-6 for Spain, who have 55% of the ball but have only scored off Guehi’s lost-mind error.

GOAL! England 2-1 Spain: Harry Kane (video)

And the Three Lions are on top!

Harry Kane drives into traffic to head Nico O’Reilly’s hopeful cross home.

GOAL! England 1-1 Spain: Anthony Gordon (video)

Jude Bellingham gets the ball on the counter and sets up Anthony Gordon.

The Barcelona man beats Unai Simon to tie the game.

GOAL! England 0-1 Spain Lamine Yamal pickpockets Guehi (video)

This is not what Wembley Stadium wanted to see within moments of kickoff.

Marc Guehi’s awareness level sinks below zero and Yamal reaps the rewards.

England lineup, confirmed team news

Trafford, O’Reilly, Guehi, Konsa, Quansah, Lewis-Skelly, Anderson, Gordon, Bellingham, Saka, Kane

Spain lineup, confirmed team news

Simon, Pubill, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella, Ruiz, Rodri, Yamal, Olmo, Williams, Torres

How to watch England vs Spain live, UEFA Nations League stream link and start time

Kick off time: 2:45pm ET Saturday, September 27
Venue: Wembley Stadium — London
TV Channel: FS2
Stream link: Fox.com

England vs Spain team news

The only uncapped field player for England is Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, who may get a chance to shine on this big stage as Declan Rice is resting with Arsenal. Everton’s James Garner could also benefit from Rice’s absence. Trent Alexander-Arnold is back in the squad and will now the Spanish opposition well from his time at Real Madrid.

Sporting Lisbon fullback Ivan Fresneda and Espanyol forward Roberto Fernandez are uncapped faces for Spain, while other players not on the World Cup squad are Inter Milan goalkeeper Josep Martinez and Barca’s Fermin Lopez. World Cup winners Joan Garcia, Borja Iglesias, Pedro Porro, and Gavi were not selected for various reasons, while Marcos Llorente has retired from international football.

England vs Spain prediction

England lead the all-time series 14W-3D-11L but Spain have won the only meeting between these teams in recent history, a 2-1 defeat of the Three Lions in the EURO 2024 Final. This game may look a lot like that but finish a bit different. England 1-1 Spain.