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, 53 minutes
Activity in the Spanish dugout. A change is being prepared.
England look to work space on the left and keep the ball in tidy fashion.
0-3, 54 minutes
Iago Aspas receives a stern talking to from the Polish referee after some choice words in Szymon Marciniak's direction.
Raheem Sterling appeals for a penalty from another long-ball knockdown, but Marciniak waves claims away. Sterling appeared to have been caught just outside the box by Jonny.
0-3, 56 minutes
A double change from Luis Enrique.
Paco Alcacer and Dani Ceballos are the men to come on. Saul and Iago Aspas withdrawn. Alcacer is in red-hot form at Borussia Dortmund and scored against Wales - can he get Spain back in it?
0-3, 57 minutes
Jordan Pickford concedes a corner from a bouncing, deflected cross.
Marcos Asensio to take left-footed from the right...
GOAL! SPAIN 1-3 ENGLAND (Alcacer, 58 minutes)
He is in red-hot form, and with his first touch Paco Alcacer has a goal!
It is a simple run to the near post and Alcacer has broken free of his marker, flicking Asensio's inswinging ball across Jordan Pickford into the far corner. No England player is even close to him - a real defensive lapse.
1-3, 61 minutes
Sergio Ramos and Harry Kane have a meaty mid-air collision and both are down hurt.
Ramos plunges over the top of Kane and is the quicker of the captains to his feet.
The medics want to check Kane is not concussed, but it appears that both are cleared to rejoined the fray as a soon as invited back on to the pitch by the referee.
1-3, 63 minutes
My, oh my!
Jordan Pickford gets himself in serious trouble messing about in his area. Rodrigo robs him and the goal is agape.
Pickford clearly hauls the Spanish striker back to prevent him scoring, making a sliding challenge to concede a corner. How on earth that penalty wasn't given I have no idea. The official behind the goal is right there.
Stone. Wall.
1-3, 66 minutes
The yellow card was brandished in the direction of Sergio Ramos in the melee surrounding the referee after that decision.
1-3, 67 minutes
A 1-2 nearly works a shooting opportunity for Marcos Alonso but the angle is tight and his effort is tame. Jordan Pickford smothers.
Harry Maguire appears to have a touch of cramp and is down in England's box.
1-3, 69 minutes
It is just a cramp and Maguire rejoins proceedings. The Spanish crowd in Seville are really into this one now.
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