England Hold On to Beat Spain 3-2 in Madrid
England beat Spain 3-2 in Madrid, but it was a win they had to fight for. They led 3-0, then finished the game with only ten men.
Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot, the kick awarded after a foul inside the box. England were comfortable and in control, and the lead grew to three. Spain came back into it with a penalty from Mikel Oyarzabal, which made it 3-1, and later Nico Williams scored to bring them within one.
The nervy final stretch came after a costly mistake. BBC Sport reports that Jarell Quansah's error led to Oyarzabal's penalty and to a red card for Elliot Anderson, who was sent off and left England a man down. From then on, England had to defend with ten players against a Spain side pushing for an equaliser.
They held on. Ben White is credited with the goal that settled it, and BBC Sport gave him an 8 for his performance. Jude Bellingham was the standout for England, rated 9, while James Trafford in goal earned an 8. Declan Rice and Morgan Rogers were also rated 8 by the same match report.
For Spain, Lamine Yamal was rated 8 and Pedri, who came on as a substitute, was also rated 8. Quansah received a 5 for his part in the error that changed the game.
It was a match of big swings, from a three-goal cushion to a fight to the final whistle. England came out on top, and the result was decided in the last part of the game.
