Yamal nets in Spain’s 3-2 comeback win against England in Nations League

Published On 26 Sep 202626 Sep 2026.

Key points

• Victory for Luis de la Fuente's men extends Spain's astonishing unbeaten run to 39 matches – a record for a European team.
• Four minutes afterwards, the home side were ahead after Kane headed home Nico O'Reilly's cross via a Marc Cucurella deflection.
• Manchester City's Guehi, with a chance to clear in the second minute, inexplicably turned back towards goalkeeper James Trafford, apparently unaware that Yamal was just behind him.
• Gordon was involved early in the move and surged forward, collecting Jude Bellingham's pass to steer the ball decisively past goalkeeper Unai Simon.
• And, with the atmosphere now totally changed, England were in front when Kane rose to head home.

World champions Spain came from behind to beat England 3-2 in an entertaining Nations League encounter at Wembley on Saturday, denying the hosts a cathartic win after their painful World Cup exit.

Thomas Tuchel's men obtained off to a nightmare start when Lamine Yamal pounced on a gaffe by defender Marc Guehi, and they could easily have been three goals down as silky Spain created multiple chances.

But England, criticised for their ultra-defensive tactics in their World Cup semifinal defeat to Argentina, indicated adventure of their own and secured their reward in the 36th minute when Barcelona winger Anthony Gordon finished a fine team move.

Kane had a golden chance to offer England a two-goal cushion from the penalty spot 10 minutes into the second half but slipped slightly, crashing his shot against the bar.

Spain, who beat England in the Euro 2024 final, took full advantage, with substitutes Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal putting their side ahead, taking advantage of more sloppy defensive play from the home side.

England boss Thomas Tuchel was adamant ahead of the match that it did not signal a new start, but he will have been dismayed by his team's nervy start.

Meanwhile, the teenager collected the ball and curled a left-footed effort off the inside of the post.

Ferran Torres was in the thick of the action, with an effort ruled out for offside and another shot saved by Trafford, in for longtime number one Jordan Pickford.

He additionally squandered a golden opportunity with just the goalkeeper to beat.

Yamal then set up Dani Olmo. This person flashed wide as Spain rued yet another miss.

England, who had shown plenty of promise down the wings, created the visitors pay with an incisive counter-attacking goal after winning the ball back deep in their own half.

Tuchel's men began the second half brightly and had a chance to extend their lead from the spot when they were awarded a penalty for a Rodri foul on Bellingham after a VAR check.

But Kane crashed his shot against the bar, and England paid the cost when Baena steered home on the hour mark after O'Reilly had given the ball away to Olmo.

Worse was to come for the home side when Baena turned provider for Oyarzabal. This person dinked the ball over Trafford.

For now, yamal nets in Spain's 3-2 comeback win against England in Nations League remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.