Football: England beat Spain 3-2 in Nations League
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Seneweb, P.M. News and Vanguard
Jude Bellingham’s England beat Spain 3-2 on Sunday in Madrid, on the final matchday of the Nations League group stage, and finish top of their group. The win ends a run of 43 official matches without defeat for the reigning European champions.
Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 45th minute, after a foul by Pau Cubarsí in the box, according to Seneweb. Ezri Konsa doubled the lead with a header from a Declan Rice corner in the 53rd minute, before Ben White scored the third in the 57th, set up by Jude Bellingham.
Three goals down, Spain got back into the game. Elliot Anderson was sent off in the 63rd minute for a foul on Lamine Yamal in the box; Mikel Oyarzabal converted the resulting penalty in the 65th minute. Luis de la Fuente had brought on Fermín López and Pedri at half-time. Nico Williams reduced the gap in the 75th minute with a low shot that hit the left post before going in.
Reduced to ten men, England held on. Goalkeeper James Trafford, chosen over Jordan Pickford by Thomas Tuchel, made repeated saves, notably against Yamal and Oyarzabal in added time. After five minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle confirmed the win. Tuchel praised a performance of the very highest level in terms of spirit, energy and quality of play.
Both sides had already secured progression to the next stage, but England will be seeded for the quarter-finals in March. On 26 September, Spain had already beaten England 3-2 in the Nations League.
