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)
0-3, 44 minutes
Another Spain corner.
Played short but Iago Aspas' cross is deflected and Harry Maguire rises as only he can to head away.
0-3, 45 minutes
An error from Jonny and Ross Barkley is away.
England work a three-on-three but Barkley is caught in two minds and tackled. Raheem Sterling picks up the loose ball but can't find Harry Kane at the far post.
Well that was a half and a half.
England have had just 28% of possession and yet have a 3-0 lead. In many ways, a deserved 3-0 lead.
They have defended superbly and not allowed Spain to create any real clear chances from open play and have looked extremely menacing on the counter-attack.
Two goals for Raheem Sterling, one for Marcus Rashford and England are flying towards a famous away victory.
0-3, 45 minutes
Whistles from the crowd as the teams make their way back on to the playing surface at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.
The second-half is underway to a refrain of "God Save The Queen" from the England supporters.
0-3, 46 minutes
Luis Enrique looks rather distressed in his long-sleeved polo in the technical area.
His team have a huge mountain to climb.
0-3, 48 minutes
Harry Maguire runs a Spanish attack out of play, before Eric Dier hooks a cross clear.
Saul breaks on to the clearance, leaps and controls in one motion before unfurling a driven volley that flies a couple of yards over the bar.
0-3, 49 minutes
Harry Kane looks to find Raheem Sterling again square across the six-yard box but this time David De Gea gathers.
0-3, 50 minutes
Excitement from the Spain fans as Marcos Asensio's well-hit shot on the turn flies off of Joe Gomez's chest inches past the post into the side netting, rippling the net.
The corner comes to nothing.
0-3, 51 minutes
Two cynical fouls by Spain in quick succession escape punishment from the referee.
They look frustrated.
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