Sterling scores twice as England beats Spain away, puts World Cup finalist Croatia in jeopardy

Not only did England upset Spain on the strength of two first half goals from Raheem Sterling and another by Marcus Rashford in Monday’s UEFA Nations League match in Seville, the 3-2 win could help relegate World Cup runner-up Croatia to the “B League” of Europe’s newest club competition.

The Three Lions, losers to Croatia in the semifinals at Russia 2018, produced one of the most dominant first halves in their recent history against Spain. And while they were outplayed by their desperate hosts in the second half and ultimately conceded twice, Gareth Southgate’s team held on for all three points, putting the Croats in a tough spot when their Nations League slate resumes next month with matches against both teams.

Sterling, a favorite (and undeserving) target of the British tabloids who hadn’t scored for England in three years, opened the visitors’ account with aplomb less than 16 minutes in:

Rashford added a second around the half-hour mark before Sterling, off a pass from Harry Kane, made it three just before half time on a goal the Spanish players contended was narrowly offside:

Spain came out flying after the break and pulled one back in the 58th minute through substitute forward Paco Alcacer. And La Roja might have had another from the penalty spot moments later, when England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was dispossessed in his own 18-yard box by Rodrigo and appeared to grab the winger’s shirt before tackling the ball away. But again the Spaniards’ pleas — led by captain Sergio Ramos and, from the touchline, furious manager Luis Enrique — were waved away by the referee.

Marcos Alonso hit the crossbar in the seventh and final minute of stoppage time before fellow defender Ramos finally headed the home team back within a goal. But it was too little, too late. The final whistle sounded before the restart could even be taken.

Any loss to England would’ve been a shock for the recently hired Enrique. Before Monday, the Three Lions hadn’t won Spain in 31 years. And La Roja beat Southgate’s side at Wembley just last month to open the competition, then routed the Croats 6-0 at home. They had also been almost perfect in Seville for the better part of three decades, with their only previous loss there, to France, coming way back in 1991. A rout — and up until the last kick of the ball, that’s what this was — was an almost unthinkable outcome, even against the best England team in a generation.

Still, the result might actually be a bigger blow to Croatia. Luka Modric and Co. seem to be deep in the throes of a post-World Cup hangover since the best finish in their history. The Croats could only manage a scoreless draw when they hosted England in Rijeka last week, leaving them without a point, or a goal, through their first two Nations League games.

They did beat Jordan 2-1 Monday in a friendly. But that’s a far cry from dealing with a Spanish team bent on rebounding when the two meet on Nov. 15. They’ll then have to travel to London for the Group 4 finale just three days later facing the real possibility of needing a win to avoid ending what had been a triumphant 2018 on decidedly sour note.

Doug McIntyre covers soccer for Yahoo Sports. Follow him on Twitter @ByDougMcIntyre.