Oyarzabal haunts England again as Spain rally from 2-1 down to extend unbeaten run to 39

Mikel Oyarzabal repeated his Euro 2024 final heroics to seal a 3-2 Nations League victory for Spain over England at Wembley on Saturday, as the world champions came from behind to extend their unbeaten run to 39 games.

The substitute chipped goalkeeper James Trafford from close range in the 74th minute to complete a comeback that had looked unlikely at half-time, when England led 2-1. It was the second time Oyarzabal had scored a decisive goal against England in the space of a few months, having netted the winner in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

Spain made the perfect start in their first outing since lifting the World Cup, with Lamine Yamal needing less than two minutes to open the scoring. The teenager dispossessed Marc Guéhi and fired low past Trafford into the far corner. Despite dominating possession and chances — Ferran Torres twice failed to convert when through on goal — Spain were pegged back before the break.

England levelled in the 36th minute through Anthony Gordon, who finished smartly after a swift counter-attack. Jude Bellingham played the key pass, receiving a flick from Gordon before threading him through on goal. Four minutes later England were ahead, Harry Kane’s header deflecting off Marc Cucurella and into the net.

The game’s pivotal moment arrived early in the second half when Rodri brought down Kane in the box and VAR confirmed a penalty. Kane, however, slipped during his run-up and fired the ball off the crossbar — a miss that proved enormously costly.

Spain drew level on the hour when substitute Alex Baena curled a low shot into the corner, and Oyarzabal completed the turnaround 14 minutes later with a composed chip that gave Luis de la Fuente’s side a winning start to their Nations League campaign.