Spain Stun England 3-2 at Wembley After Kane Misses Penalty

Spain beat England 3-2 at Wembley on Saturday 26 September to win their Nations League opener in dramatic style.

The visitors struck after just two minutes. Lamine Yamal fired Spain ahead and silenced the home crowd before many fans had found their seats, according to The Guardian.

England hit back hard. Anthony Gordon levelled the score. Then Harry Kane finished to put England 2-1 up and turn the noise inside Wembley all the way up.

Kane had the chance to stretch that lead early in the second half. England won a penalty in the 54th minute. His standing foot slipped as he struck the ball and the shot crashed against the crossbar.

Spain made England pay. Substitute Álex Baena came off the bench to make it 2-2. Then fellow substitute Mikel Oyarzabal lifted a delicate dinked finish — a soft chip over the goalkeeper — over the line for the winner.

It was a bold night for England manager Thomas Tuchel. He started James Trafford in goal ahead of Jordan Pickford, England's long-time No. 1.

The tie was a repeat of the Euro 2024 final. Spain won that night 2-1 in Berlin, with Oyarzabal scoring four minutes from time to seal a record fourth European title, as recorded by England Football. Spain now lead the head-to-head with six wins to England's three.

What makes this stand out is the familiarity. Oyarzabal has done it to England again. Kane has lived another penalty story after his miss at the World Cup.

For fans, this means a fast start to Group A3 of the Nations League, UEFA's international competition played in leagues every two years. Spain now head home to face Croatia at the Sánchez-Pizjuán Stadium in Seville.