England shown how far behind best sides they remain as Spain dominate Uefa Nations League opener
After a World Cup in which England reconnected with their fans, reignited belief in the national team and showed the way ahead, this was something of a reality check.
In their opening game in the newly- created Nations League they were largely out-played by Spain who had splintered so embarrassingly in Russia.
England showed spirit, they dug deep and they even cried injustice as Danny Welbeck was denied what they believed was an equalising goal deep into the nine minutes of injury time. However, Dutch ref Danny Makkelie ruled that the substitute had impeded goalkeeper David De Gea before he turned the ball into the empty net. It appeared soft.
That added time was so extensive because of an injury to Luke Shaw who was carried off on a stretcher after a nasty collision with Dani Carvajal early in the second half. The defender was placed in a neck brace and given oxygen but, later, was conscious and appeared to be OK, although he will continue to undergo further tests and observation. Shaw, three years to the day since he made his previous start for his country, had appeared to send England on their way as he set up a brilliant opening goal.
But the home side were emphatically pinned back and while England’s scorer, Marcus Rashford, was later twice thwarted by his Manchester United team-mate De Gea it should not distort the fact that Spain were indisputably superior.
Gareth Southgate had spoken about England’s “non-existent” recent record against the world’s leading nations in a competitive fixture, but the search to beat one continues as Spain – under their new coach Luis Enrique – found themselves back on track following their summer turmoil.
Great goal by the #ThreeLions. Now let's get the lead back. ��pic.twitter.com/frlFiylsWj
— England (@England) September 8, 2018
They presented the challenge we know England face: how to close that gap right at the top of world football; how to find midfielders with the control of Thiago Alcantara, Isco or Sergio Busquets or, more realistically, find a way to deal without having them.
At times England could not get close, were even given the runaround, but they showed their deep reserves of togetherness in the final 25 minutes when it appeared that they had been overwhelmed. There was also some encouragement in a tactical tweak by Southgate who introduced Eric Dier and told him to alternate with John Stones who stepped into midfield. Finally there was some variation.
This result represented England’s first defeat at Wembley in a competitive game since Nov 2007 and, oddly, means they have lost three games in a row for the first time in 30 years after a glorious summer in which they reached their first semi-final in 28 years.
It remains that final point that still matters the most even if, as Southgate has also made clear, they have to press on from here by learning to press better. There is no need to panic; no need to reassess. But the issues need to be addressed and the challenge is set – if there was ever any doubt.
It was encapsulated, in a sense, in the 120 seconds that separated the first two goals – with Shaw heavily involved in both.
Southgate will have been delighted at how England created theirs as they bravely played their way out of trouble from deep in their own half. They out-Spained Spain, in fact, with Jordan Henderson eventually flicking the ball to Harry Kane who turned and saw Shaw in space out on the left, inviting him to run on, which he did. The 24- year-old then arced a superb low cross that caught out Nacho with Rashford side-footing it home.
In the stands was Jose Mourinho and he will have taken note – as the Manchester United manager will have done so soon after when Shaw over-committed and was easily beaten by Carvajal down the England left for the Spain full-back to find Rodrigo who cut the ball back into the path of Saul Niguez. His first-time shot beat Jordan Pickford, even if the goalkeeper got a glove on it.
So England had struck but did not retain control. They could not regroup quickly enough to hold off Spain. They did not have the game-management necessary to prevent such a response as the visitors began to take control and, ironically, it was they who profited from a set-piece which had been such a potent weapon for England at the World Cup.
Again there was rashness and naivety as Kieran Trippier was penalised for a needless challenge on Marcos Alonso. Thiago whipped in a near post free-kick and England were in tatters. Kane failed to track Rodrigo’s run, Stones and Joe Gomez, selected ahead of Kyle Walker, were caught vainly appealing for offside and the former Bolton striker simply tucked the ball in from close-range. It was zonal marking undone in one swift movement.
England had chances. Kane, who had been presented with the Golden Boot as the World Cup’s top-scorer prior to kick-off although he was then subdued, delayed and had the ball stolen away by Saul as he shaped to shoot. Then De Gea quite brilliantly pushed Rashford’s header around a post but Spain gained a stranglehold.
The consolation was that, despite that, Spain did not really create so when the pressure finally relented there was still a game to be saved. Rashford should have done that when put clear by Kane, but De Gea saved with his legs. Kane sent the rebound wide from a tight angle. Then the ball was hoisted high and as De Gea came to collect.
Welbeck stood his ground, the goalkeeper spilt the ball and England thought they had salvaged an unlikely point. Maybe ruling the “goal” out was unjust. But then so would have been a draw. Spain were better. Far better.
Full time
England make a losing start to life in the Uefa Nations League, and, in all honesty, Spain fully deserved to win tonight.
However, it could very easily have ended up 2-2 with that Welbeck goal at the end.
As it is, though, England go BOTTOM of their group. (Does that actually matter?)
90 mins +11
We've played far more than the allotted nine minutes, but England are still pushing.
Joe Gomez launches a long throw-in into the box but no England player can turn it goalwards.
90 mins + 9
A lovely ball gets Trippier away down the right. His drilled low cross so nearly finds Kane but Spain clear for a corner.
Trippier's ball in is nodded down by Maguire and Kane JUST can't get on the end of it.
Disallowed goal for England!
Trippier's cross is spooned up in the air inside his own box, De Gea goes up underneath it, catches it, but then spills it as he falls over Welbeck to the floor, the ball coming off Welbeck's head and falling loose in the box.
Welbeck takes the opportunity to pass home from close range, and he and Kane run off celebrating. The ref gives it initially, but his assistant disallows it. Drama!
Good news from backstage
Luke Shaw is awake and talking to the medical staff.... #MUFC
— Ben Dinnery (@BenDinnery) September 8, 2018
90 mins +4
Rose earns a yellow card by scything down Carvajal.
Rashford is replaced by Welbeck for the final few minutes.
90 mins +3
Ramos has a Van Basten-like volley, but he gets right underneath it, before Aspas sends an effort over from 25 yards.
90 mins
Nine minutes added on in light of the time it took to tend to Luke Shaw. Plenty of time for an equaliser.
90 mins
Danny Rose goes all Andrea Pir... no, Jonjo Shelvey in central midfield, turning away from his man and drills a wonderful ball into the left channel for Rashford to chase.
He gets to it, but not for the first time tonight, doesn't do enough with it. He checks back, it eventually comes to Dier on the edge of the box but the pass is too far ahead of him and Spain scramble clear.
87 mins
The love train is back, and Maguire nearly profits, beating Alonso at the back stick from Trippier's corner, but he can only head wide of the target.
Inigo Martinez comes on for Spain, Alonso jogs off.
83 mins
Carvajal is the latest player to go into the referee's notebook.
82 mins
Kane slips Rashford in, and it all opens up perfectly for him. He hits his shot well enough but it's straight at De Gea.
The rebound spoons up in the air, and down to Kane, but he skews his effort well wide.
80 mins
Sergi Roberto replaces Thiago for Spain. 10 minutes for England to find an equaliser.
Thiago has been magnificent. England don't just need one player who can do what he does, they need at least two
— Sam Wallace (@SamWallaceTel) September 8, 2018
77 mins
Decent build-up play from England, Rashford dinking a ball over the Spain defence to Alli, but he can't quite lay it off into a team-mate's path and they have to start again.
It eventually comes back to Rashford, and he lines one up from distance but Ramos charges it down.
74 mins
Isco just played a risky pass and Martin Tyler said "Risco". I expect so much better.
Here's to hoping Luke Shaw is okay and back with us soon
69 mins
A decent free kick is headed clear by Maguire from underneath his own crossbar.
69 mins
Alli's first touch lets him down, and Spain pounce. Isco nicks the ball and advances down the left, drawing a foul from Trippier a few yards from the corner flag.
Aspas is replaces by Marco Asensio for Spain.
67 mins
The wall stands firm and blocks Isco's shot.
66 mins
Saul tries to put Rodrigo in on goal, John Stones gets across and slides in with what looks like a great challenge, but he is penalised for a foul and gets a yellow card. Free-kick for Spain right on the edge of the box, 10 yards left of centre.
63 mins
England make it into the Spain third with Rose charging down the left wing. His cross is blocked and England are forced all the way back. Trippier nearly manages to get Kane in with a lovely ball into the right channel, but Kane is just offside.
Eric Dier replaces Jordan Henderson for England. Five Spurs players now on the pitch.
59 mins
England are, admirably, sticking to trying to pass their way out but they have had no luck whatsoever this half. Spain are pressing really effectively.
55 mins
Nearly a third for Spain as Thiago drills a sliced volley just over the bar after Alonso's cross is deflected to the edge of the box.
54 mins
Oxygen mask and neck brace for Sure, who is stretchered off the pitch to a round of applause.
Rose is on in his place. Play is back under way.
51 mins
It's not looking good for Shaw. This is the scene.
Danny Rose will come on shortly.
49 mins
Nasty, nasty collision and a head injury for Luke Shaw.
He cuts out a diagonal switch of play really well, but is completely blindsided by Carvajal as he tracks back. The Spaniard ran into Shaw and looked like he might have caught him with a shoulder. It was completely accidental but that doesn't stop the patent concern for Shaw who lies motionless on the turf.
47 mins
One slight tweak: it looks like Rodrigo will play through the centre for Spain, with Iago Aspas moving out to the right.
46 mins
Spain get the second half under way.
The players are back out
No changes in personnel for either side.
Half time
So, there we have it, this is what giving a match a fancy - but ultimately meaningless - name does to international football. We have just seen the first half of England's first Nations League match and, well, it was great.
The fans and players seem to care a bit more - Ramos is being booed and Spain really enjoyed the goal that sent them 2-1 up - and it's also been a really entertaining first half.
Predictably, Spain look far the better team. England have done well enough, and scored a good opener, but Spain's quality and composure has shown.
43 mins
Shaw lunges on Carvajal, who is far too quick for him, and the challenge rightly draws a yellow card from the referee.
40 mins
Chants of 'Olé' have already started from the Spain fans. They are well on top but it might just be a tad early for that.
38 mins
Carvajal finds space on the right, crosses early, Stones clears, but only as far as Saul, who rifles at goal, but Pickford is equal to it.
36 mins
The corner is taken short quickly to Alli, who plays back to Lingard. He lifts a ball up to Rashford in a central position and he surely must score!
But De Gea produces a typically brilliant reaction save to tip over the bar. Great save.
35 mins
A wonderful ball into the box from Henderson just evades Kane and Alli, but England win a corner off Carvajal.
GOOOOOOAAAL!! England 1 Spain 2 (Rodrigo)
Spain have a free-kick on the left touchline. Thiago whips it in to the near post, and Rodrigo times his run perfectly to get across his man and tap home from very close range.
Not a very 'Spain' goal at all, and England are beaten at their own game.
31 mins
Carvajal tries his best Luke Shaw impression with a low ball across the face of goal, but Maguire sees it coming and cuts it out well.
27 mins
Gomez starts an England move off with a swift pass that split lines into Dele Alli's feet. He turns and makes off towards goal, with Kane running to his left and Rashford his right. Shaw is galloping up on the left in space, but Alli takes the tougher option and tries to slip Kane in. His pass is misdirected and De Gea gathers easily. That was a big chance that you might expect the Spurs duo to make more from.
24 mins
A mild penalty shout for England as a free-kick is lofted into the Spain box, Maguire heads down, and it just won't drop for Kane, who is under pressure from Nacho.
No pen, right decision.
22 mins
After that flurry of goals, we have settled back into the pattern we had seen early on here. Spain are having far more of the ball, knocking it around confidently high up the pitch. Rodrigo drags a shot wide from the edge of the box.
A few minutes ago Henderson was booked for a trip on Alonso.
England's goal
What a pass from Shaw.
Great goal by the #ThreeLions. Now let's get the lead back. ��pic.twitter.com/frlFiylsWj
— England (@England) September 8, 2018
Jose Mourinho smirks up in the Wembley stands
2 - Marcus Rashford's opener (assisted by Luke Shaw) was the first England goal scored and assisted by two Manchester United players since November 2012, when Ashley Young assisted Danny Welbeck against Sweden. Devils. #ENGSPApic.twitter.com/4Vp8mGBaH8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 8, 2018
GOOOOOAAL! England 1 Spain 1 (Saul Niguez)
Spain come straight back at England, with Carvajal and Rodrigo combining on the right. Shaw ill-advisedly dives into a challenge and he has left a big gap behind him.
Rodrigo comes in off the flank, and he is spotted by Carvajal. Rodrigo pulls it back and Saul is there to slam it in at the near post. Pickford gets a hand to it but can't keep it out.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAL! England 1 Spain 0 (Rashford)
England break on the right, with a neat interchange between Trippier and Henderson to get out of trouble. Alonso slides in to dispossess the Liverpool man but he skips away with the ball, feeds Kane and England are away. He squares to Shaw, who advances down the left, and then plays a brilliant, perfectly-weighted pass across goal and Rashford is there to slam it home.
10 mins - England 0 Spain 0
Spain are pushing up in England's faces, trying to stop them playing out from the back, most probably with the idea that Harry Maguire and John Stones could be forced into a mistake. No luck there so far.
8 mins - England 0 Spain 0
Gomez snaps at Saul's ankles one too many times as the ball heads to the touchline, and concedes a free-kick pretty unnecessarily.
It's not a great delivery, though, and comes to nothing.
6 mins - England 0 Spain 0
Plenty of possession for Spain, England play out of trouble nicely but don't get anywhere of note. Home side not really been out of their half so far.
3 mins - England 0 Spain 0
Sergio Ramos is being roundly booed, which I'm sure he'll actually quite enjoy. He very nearly puts Thiago in on goal with a very good, direct ball up field, but the Bayern man is flagged offside. Early signs suggest Spain under Luis Enrique will still keep the ball on the floor and pass it about a lot. Who knew?
Kick-off
England get us started. Life after the World Cup begins.
The players are out
And Harry Kane has just been presented with his World Cup golden boot. Wembley is full. This might actually be fun, you know?
Excited?
It’s coming home.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 8, 2018
Still got a buzz about this england side ! �������������� come on
— Peter Crouch (@petercrouch) September 8, 2018
Gareth Southgate talks
"It's good for the players to feel the warmth of a home reception but we're focused on what's next. We're looking forward to tonight, but we know we've got a tough test ahead of us.
"Joe [Gomez] is a young player we think a lot of. We want to look at him in a good quality game - this is an opportunity for that. He's one of a few young players we want to invest some time in. He's done it before for us - he was outstanding against Brazil.
"Kyle [Walker] will play on Tuesday, we'll use the whole squad over these two games.
"Luke [Shaw] brings the balance of a natural left-footer [at left wing-back], we're looking for him to give us some width and maybe deliver crosses slightly earlier than Ashley Young did for us.
"Tonight is about the performance. We've taken a lot of belief from the summer but we know there's work to be done. We've got to attack this game and be positive about our performance."
Oh, about the opposition
This is a big night for Spain, too, by the way. Their World Cup was a complete disaster, from manager Julen Lopetegui being sacked days before the tournament, to losing to Russia on penalties in the second round.
Now, a new era begins under Luis Enrique, who has already made his mark on the team by omitting Jordi Alba from his squad, while the retirements of Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique and David Silva have forced his hand in redesigning the squad.
He is a hugely successful manager, who won the treble in his first season at Barcelona, and it will be interesting to see what he has done to this Spain team.
World Cup fever!
Every ticket has been sold at Wembley tonight, Three Lions is blasting out while the players warm up and Gareth Southgate is kitted out in his lovely blue suit.
World Cup fever is alive and kicking. Any excuse to get this on, too.
World Cup memories
Gareth Southgate orchestrates the crowd to a chorus of... come on you know the words!@England are into a #WorldCup semi-final! pic.twitter.com/mZmhwSR2LO
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 7, 2018
Luke Shaw's first England start in exactly three years
It seems crazy that we're still waiting for Luke Shaw to fulfill the vast potential that won him his move to Manchester United four years ago, but now, as a 23-year-old, he is playing regularly, and there is genuine hope that this could be the season in which he comes into his own.
Gareth Southgate will certainly be feeling that way, and his hope stretches far enough that he has done away with Ashley Young - his first-choice left-back at the World Cup - and followed Jose Mourinho in replacing him with Shaw.
This is Shaw's first England start since September 8 2015, shortly before he suffered that horrible leg break. It's a big night for him: let's hope he can do the business.
The teams are in - Luke Shaw and Joe Gomez start for England
England (3-5-2)
Pickford; Trippier, Maguire, Stones, Gomez, Shaw; Henderson, Alli, Lingard; Rashford, Kane
Spain (4-3-3)
De Gea; Carvajal, Nacho, Ramos, Alonso; Busquets, Saul, Thiago; Isco, Aspas, Rodrigo Moreno
England begin their quest for Nations League glory
That's right. Today is the day (some, but not very many of) you have been waiting for... it's the start of England's Nations League campaign, and the general public are suitably confused by the whole charade.
Already heard on Wembley Way: “It’s like the Champions League... but for internationals”
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) September 8, 2018
Before we get going with the team news, here's my attempt to concisely explain what the UNL is:
The 55 European nations are split into four Leagues (named A, B, C and D) based on their Uefa ranking. Each League is made up of four groups (1, 2, 3, and 4), with the teams in each group to play on another home and away between September and mid-November this year. The four winners of the groups in League A progress to the Uefa Nations League finals, to be played next June. The winners will be crowned Uefa Nations League 2018-19 champions.
Teams that finish top of their group in Leagues B, C and D will gain promotion to the League above for the next edition (2020-21), while those finishing bottom of their group in Leagues A, B and C will be relegated.
Independent of the Uefa Nations League, Euro 2020 qualifying will be played between March and November 2019, with the top two teams in each group progressing to the tournament. Those teams that do not qualify by traditional means but perform well in their Uefa Nations League group have a second chance to qualify for Euro 2020 - through the play-offs.
16 teams will contest the play-offs - likely four from each League - with four places at Euro 2020 up for grabs.
There are plenty of variables in what is a convoluted play-off system, but what we do know is that at least one team each League, including League D, which contains the 16 lowest-ranked teams in Europe, will qualify for Euro 2020.
If that's not quite sufficient, follow the link above for a more comprehensive explanation.