From a clean hat-trick to La Roja's flood: England survive with a crazy win over Spain to snatch top spot
England secured a thrilling 3-2 win over Spain on Sunday evening, in the match that brought them together at the Metropolitano Stadium, as part of the sixth and final round of the group stage in the UEFA Nations League, after holding firm against the hosts' attacking surge in the closing minutes, despite finishing the match with ten players.
Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 45th minute, Ezri Konsa made it two on 53 minutes and Ben White struck in the 57th. Spain hit back through Mikel Oyarzabal's penalty on 65 minutes, with Nico Williams pulling one back in the 75th. Elliot Anderson had seen red in the 64th minute.
The win took England to 15 points and snatched top spot from Spain, who finished level on points but behind on goal difference. Thomas Tuchel's side ended the group stage top, having avenged their first-round defeat to Spain with a precious victory in the return.
England took control from the off. Tuchel's men dominated possession and poured forward in wave after wave, piling pressure on the hosts' goal. Spain's night took an early turn for the worse in the 21st minute, when Marc Pubill limped off injured and Pedro Porro replaced him.
That dominance rolled on through the first half, with England spurning more than one clear chance. Then came the breakthrough. Pau Cubarsí hauled down Harry Kane inside the box in the 45th minute, and the captain stepped up to beat the keeper, making up for the spot-kick he missed in the 3-2 defeat at Wembley.
Luis de la Fuente threw on three players at the break, sending Dean Huijsen, Pedri and Fermín López on for Cubarsí, Fabián Ruiz and Mikel Merino. The changes made no difference. England kept their foot on the throttle and struck twice in the space of four minutes.
Konsa got the second on 53 minutes, rising unmarked to head home a Declan Rice corner. Four minutes later it was three. England broke at pace, the ball found Jude Bellingham, and his pass let White finish off the move.
The game flipped in the 64th minute. Lamine Yamal robbed Jarell Quansah and tore towards the box, where Anderson brought him down and was shown a red card. Spain had a penalty, and Oyarzabal rammed it home a minute later. From there the hosts laid siege to England's goal.
Spain made their man advantage count. Substitute Nico Williams got their second on 75 minutes, meeting a Yamal pass with a single touch inside the area to make it 3-2. Tuchel shored up his defence and reshuffled to protect the lead. Marshalled by goalkeeper James Trafford, England stood firm against everything Spain threw at them until the final whistle.
