England 1 Spain 2: Luis Enrique off the mark after comeback victory

Luis Enrique won his first game in charge of Spain as La Roja came from behind to beat England 2-1 at Wembley in the Nations League.

It was a disappointing night for World Cup semi-finalists England, who took an early lead through Marcus Rashford but were behind within 22 minutes after goals from Saul Niguez and Rodrigo Moreno.

Luke Shaw, making his first international start in three years, was taken off on a stretcher wearing a neck brace and oxygen mask early in the second half after a clash with Dani Carvajal, and the hosts failed to mount a comeback in his absence.

Spain were fluid and fluent throughout their first match under Luis Enrique and, after their shock World Cup last-16 exit to hosts Russia ended a tumultuous campaign, will go confidently into their next game against Croatia, though a late foul by substitute Danny Welbeck meant they will not do so on the back of a draw.

Harry Kane released Shaw down the left and the full-back picked out his Manchester United team-mate Rashford with a precision pass that was slotted past David de Gea in the 11th minute.

Two minutes later Carvajal rounded Shaw and squared to Rodrigo, who cut the ball back to Saul for a first-time finish inside Jordan Pickford’s near post.

Having played the better football, Spain deservedly took the lead in the 32nd minute, Rodrigo losing his marker and side-footing Thiago Alcantara’s curling free-kick home.

The loss of Shaw early in the second half deprived England of a valuable attacking outlet and they struggled to create chances thereafter.

Welbeck had the ball in the net deep into the allotted nine additional minutes only for him to be judged to have fouled De Gea in the process and the goal was ruled out, ensuring Spain left with all three points.

The #ThreeLions looked to have equalised through @DannyWelbeck , but it’s ruled out.

Our #NationsLeague opener ends in defeat. pic.twitter.com/UEGNJWhkXW

— England (@England) September 8, 2018

What does it mean: Southgate must ponder porous defence

England have conceded six goals in their last three games in all competitions and Gareth Southgate will feel Spain were allowed back into the contest far too easily, particularly after Harry Maguire played Rodrigo onside for their second.

Pat on the back: De Gea back to his best

Criticised for his poor shots-to-goals-conceded ratio at the World Cup, De Gea produced a superb save to deny Rashford’s header and preserve Spain’s lead in the 35th minute, giving his defence the confidence to shut England out from then. The keeper was perhaps fortunate referee Danny Makkelie deemed he was fouled by Welbeck before the Arsenal striker tucked home late on.

Boot up the backside: Henderson must learn to relish big games

After struggling in the World Cup semi-final against Croatia, Jordan Henderson once again failed to rise to the occasion against one of Europe’s best teams and if England are to become a major force he must begin to dictate play from midfield.

Key Opta facts:

2 – Spain have won an international game at Wembley for the second time (D2 L5), with both of those victories featuring a Marcos Alonso in the team (Father in 1981 and Son this evening). Legacy. pic.twitter.com/ca315KEiKy

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 8, 2018

– England lost their first competitive game at Wembley since November 2007 (3-2 versus Croatia), ending a run of 24 games without defeat there.
– None of the last nine coaches of Spain have lost their first game in charge (W7 D2), with Luis Suarez the last man to do so in 1988 (2-1 versus Yugoslavia).
– All four of Rashford’s goals for England have come in home games that he has started (no goals in 16 substitute appearances) – two at Wembley, one at the Stadium of Light and one at Elland Road.
– England have conceded six goals in their last three games in all competitions, as many as they had in their previous 13 games combined (three).
– There were just 120 seconds between England opening the scoring through Rashford, and Saul equalising with his first goal for the senior Spain side.

What’s next?

England must wait until October to attempt to make up lost ground in the Nations League with games against Croatia and Spain, but before then they face Switzerland in a friendly. Spain, meanwhile, face another group game at home to the World Cup finalists on Tuesday.