England record memorable victory over Spain after Marcus Rashford and Raheem Sterling strike

Spain v England: Nations League match preview

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.

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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)

[15 October 2018 19:58 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

0-0, 11 minutes

Eric Dier is booked for a sliding challenge on Sergio Ramos.

The Spain captain has a heavy touch in his own area and Dier looks to profit but can't quite get there quickly enough. Ramos just beats Dier to the ball (though the Tottenham midfielder gets a fair piece of it sliding in) and has his legs taken from under him.

[15 October 2018 20:00 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

0-0, 13 minutes

Some nice passing from Spain and Marcos Alonso earns a corner.

Harry Kane at the near post heads away and England look to counter.

Ben Chilwell is surging down the right wing and is completely free but the pass to him is overhit and David De Gea rushes out to clear.

[15 October 2018 20:02 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

GOAL! SPAIN 0-1 ENGLAND (Sterling, 16 mins)

England lead, and Raheem Sterling ends his barren spell in an England shirt. Marcus Rashford plays a beautiful and incisive pass through a disjointed Spain defence to find Sterling in space on the right edge of the box. 

Spain appeal for offside but Sterling is at least a yard the right side of the last man. He controls cooly and powerfully curls into the far top corner. A fantastic finish.

[15 October 2018 20:06 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

0-1, 19 minutes

Brilliant for Raheem Sterling to finally score, and he looked as if a weight had been lifted while celebrating his opener.

England's strong travelling contingent making themselves heard. Spain have had the ball exclusively since the goal but England are sticking to their defensive task well.

[15 October 2018 20:07 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

0-1, 20 minutes

There is acres of space in behind Spain as their defence plays a high line. 

Ross Barkley can't quite find a teammate.

England are now the ones caught out pressing high up the field and Thiago wins the hosts a corner. Marco Asensio to take...

[15 October 2018 20:08 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

0-1, 21 minutes

Too deep but the ball is worked back to Asensio and Kieran Trippier blocks for a throw in.

Tripper then fouls Marcos Alonso looking to get beyond him by the sideline. Spain free-kick level with the edge of the box wide on their left.

[15 October 2018 20:09 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

0-1, 22 minutes

Thiago's inswinger is missed by the Spanish player at the near post but Jordan Pickford can't claim cleanly. England just about hack the ball away.

[15 October 2018 20:11 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

0-1, 25 minutes

Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford look dangerous in behind every time England win the ball back. Spain are playing such a high line.

Good defending from Ben Chilwell, sliding to block a cross. The ball ricochets out for an England goal kick.

[15 October 2018 20:12 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

Jubilation

[15 October 2018 20:14 · Harry Latham-Coyle]

0-1, 27 minutes

Thiago has had some gorgeous touches and produced some delicate bits of skill for Spain, but they have largely struggled to find complete fluency so far.