Oyarzabal strikes as Spain roar back to sink England after Kane penalty miss

Spain underlined their status as the best team in international football with a breathless 3-2 Nations League victory over England at Wembley, coming from behind after a Harry Kane penalty miss proved the turning point of a gripping contest.

Lamine Yamal had put Spain ahead in the second minute after robbing Marc Guéhi, who walked straight into the young winger as his passing lanes were blocked. But England, driven by an electrifying Jude Bellingham, responded with goals from Anthony Gordon and Kane either side of the interval to take command.

The match pivoted in the 54th minute when Kane, having won the penalty after Bellingham was clipped by Rodri, saw his standing foot give way in the turf and struck the crossbar with the spot-kick. At 3-1 England would have been in control; instead, Spain swept back. Substitute Álex Baena equalised after Nico O'Reilly gave away the ball, and Mikel Oyarzabal — another replacement — dinked home the winner from a Baena pass in impudently brilliant fashion.

Spain had been fantastic for the opening half-hour, with James Trafford — preferred to Jordan Pickford by Thomas Tuchel — making big one-on-one saves from Ferran Torres, who also had a goal ruled out for offside. Dani Olmo went close after a sumptuous Yamal flick, and England's defence was repeatedly torn apart by the movement and assurance of the world champions.

England's fightback was built on Bellingham's relentless running. Gordon's nerveless low finish followed a thrilling counter initiated when Nico Williams lost his footing, and Kane was involved in the second too — his header from an O'Reilly cross drawing a panicked thigh from Marc Cucurella, who turned the ball past Unai Simón. Cucurella's evening worsened when his mishit cross clipped the far post at the other end.

For Tuchel, still rebuilding after England's World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, there were positives: no negativity from the Wembley crowd, and no boos at full-time. But the abiding image was Spain's remorseless slickness — a team that, having won the World Cup and the European Championship, remain a distance clear of everyone else.