Sports · NEWS EXPLAINER
England vs. Spain: Oyarzabal Seals 3-2 Wembley Comeback After Kane Penalty Miss
England led 2-1 through Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane, but Kane hit a penalty off the bar before Alex Baena equalized and Mikel Oyarzabal completed Spain’s comeback.
Spain beat England 3-2 at Wembley on Saturday after turning a 2-1 deficit into a Nations League win. Lamine Yamal opened the scoring, Anthony Gordon equalized and Harry Kane headed England in front before halftime, but Alex Baena leveled after the break and Mikel Oyarzabal scored the winner in the 74th minute.
The biggest missed chance came before Spain’s comeback was complete. England received a penalty after a VAR review, but Kane slipped and hit the bar. Spain then punished the escape, and the result put the visitors top of Nations League Group A3.
England answered Yamal’s early goal
Yamal took advantage of an England error to open the scoring almost immediately. England replied through Gordon’s counter-attacking equalizer, then Kane headed in Nico O’Reilly’s cross four minutes later to put the hosts ahead.
That turnaround changed the score without curing England’s defensive problems. Spain had already created other openings, so the 2-1 lead gave England scoreboard control rather than control of the whole match.
Kane’s missed penalty left the door open
A VAR review gave England a second-half penalty and a chance to create a two-goal cushion. Kane slipped as he struck it and sent the ball against the crossbar instead of making it 3-1.
England’s lead remained at one goal. Baena later equalized, bringing Spain level before Oyarzabal’s winner.
Oyarzabal finished the comeback — and Spain took the early group lead
Baena made it 2-2 from the edge of the area after England lost possession. In the 74th minute, Baena’s through pass released Oyarzabal, who finished past James Trafford for the winning goal.
Sky Sports reported that Spain moved top of Nations League Group A3. England travel to Czech Republic on September 29, while Spain host Croatia the same day, giving both teams a quick follow-up test.
