England record memorable victory over Spain after Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling strike
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England ran riot by scoring three first-half goals to stun Spain and earn a 3-2 away win in the Nations League on Monday as they moved back into contention in League A Group 4 with their first victory on Spanish soil for 31 years.
Raheem Sterling gave England the lead against the run of play in the 16th minute by finishing off a swift counter-attack and Marcus Rashford fired into the top corner for the second on the half-hour after a superb pass from captain Harry Kane.
Sterling, who had not got an England goal for three years, struck again from another Kane assist to give Gareth Southgate's side a big halftime lead against Spain, who had scored 12 goals in their last three games and beat England 2-1 last month.
Spain hit back with a header by substitute Paco Alcacer just before the hour and were almost gifted another goal after an error from Jordan Pickford although the keeper managed to tackle Rodrigo Moreno, sparking fierce penalty appeals from the hosts.
Captain Sergio Ramos got a second for Spain with a diving header in the eighth minute of added time with the last action of the match, leaving his side tasting their first defeat over 90 minutes since they were beaten 2-0 by Italy in Euro 2016.
What time does it start?
Spain vs England kicks off at 7:45pm (BST)
Where can I watch it?
The match will be shown live on Sky Sports’ Main Event channel from 7pm. Highlights will be shown on the Sky Sports Football channel at midnight.
It’s a big game for…
Jordan Henderson – The latest crisis to form a cloud over the England football team concerns the lack of a quality passers, and with opposite numbers such as Isco and Saul so fluid on the ball that criticism has only intensified. However, while the likes of James Maddison have been called up to attempt to address that problem, it will be up to the more experienced heads, such as Liverpool’s Henderson, to guide the younger stars as England look to rebuild their midfield.
Remember when…
England’s last visit to Spain will not serve as any inspiration to Gareth Southgate, but nonetheless it took two special strikes from current Villarreal players to defeat the Three Lions. Mario Gaspar acrobatically diverted a lofted Sergio Busquets pass into the top corner, before Santi Cazorla, an Arsenal player at the time, deceived Joe Hart to beat him at his near post and secure victory in Alicante. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63Qkr3Sz8qk
Player to watch…
Paco Alcacer – The Spaniard ended his Barcelona exile by joining Borussia Dortmund on loan in the summer and the forward has not looked back since. His double against Wales took his tally to nine goals in five games in all competitions, and therefore England’s defence will have to be aware of the former Valencia forward.
Past three-meetings…
England 1 (Rashford) Spain 2 (Saul, Rodrigo), UEFA Nations League, September 2018
England 2 (Lallana pen, Vardy) Spain 2 (Aspas, Isco), International Friendly, November 2016
Spain 2 (Gaspar, Cazorla) England 0, International Friendly, November 2015
Form guide…
Spain: WDLWWW
England: WWLLLW
Odds…
Spain to win: 4/5
England to win: 17/5
Draw: 5/2
(Odds provided by 888 Sport)
The anthems, a pre-match joint picture to celebrate and promote diversity and unity in the game, the exchange of pennants...
We are ready to go in Seville.
0-0, 1 minute
Matching 4-3-3 formations, as anticipated. Marco Asensio on the left, Iago Aspas the right for Spain; Raheem Sterling right and Marcus Rashford left for England.
0-0, 2 minutes
Some good early pressing from England forces an errant clearance from David De Gea but Joe Gomez gives the ball away and they are fortunate that Iago Aspas can't latch on to a through ball with a one-on-one situation looming.
0-0, 3 minutes
Lovely interplay from Jonny and Rodrigo frees the former in behind but he doesn't see Marco Asensio arriving at the far post until late and Kieran Trippier gets back to block behind.
0-0, 4 minutes
A training ground move and Thiago's effort is deflected wide...
The next corner is flicked on to the far post where Marcos Alonso powerfully volley goal wards and the ball somehow ricochets away, perhaps off a diving Jordan Pickford. Spain have started well.
0-0, 6 minutes
A clever back heel from Raheem Sterling to create space but Harry Kane can't latch on to the cross and fouls his marker.
Replays show that Alonso's effort bounced straight off the top of Jordan Pickford's dome. A fortunate escape.
0-0, 8 minutes
England free kick 40 yards out on the left after Harry Kane is fouled.
Kieran Trippier tries to get in behind but he is just offside when Joe Gomez strikes his well-weighted driven pass.
0-0, 9 minutes
Another opportunity for the hosts. Trippier's weight is going backwards and as such he can't head the ball away effectively, and Marco Asensio should do better rushing towards goal.
He tamely pokes at it with his left toe and Jordan Pickford gathers comfortably.
0-0, 10 minutes
Both sides seem comfortable in possession, though more good pressing forces a wayward pass from David De Gea. England throw in Spain's half.
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