By Adrian Durnham
September 29 2026

England suffered a 3 – 2 defeat to World and European champions Spain in the opening fixture of the Nations League at Wembley.

An uncharacteristic error from Guehi gave Spain an early lead before Gordon and Kane put England ahead.

Kane struck the cross bar with a penalty after a double touch, had he converted England would have surely held on for victory.

Further mistakes were made, including a terrible backwards pass from O’Reilly as England were their own worst enemy in conspiring to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

It was an entertaining game, and it showed what could have been as a spectacle for what the World Cup final could have been, rather than the drab affair with Argentina. If only.

England played well but the mistakes at the back were the difference between the nearly men of England and the champions of Spain.

I do worry about the England backline. Out of the four that started in this one I feel that only Guehi is international class and he was very poor in this one including gifting the first goal.

Tuchel, who in no way shape or form should still be England manager, was again poor with his substitutions, although at least he made attacking ones this time.

It was however baffling to take off Gordon who was yet again England’s most threatening player. It’s as if he daren’t take off other more senior players that early in the game.

A lot of pundits seem to think there were more positives than negatives to take from this game.

I disagree.

We will never win anything with a defence as bad as this.

And we will never win anything with this manager in charge.

TUCHEL OUT

England 2 – 3 Spain – Match Analysis

Discussion started by Lions of England (IP Logged), 29/09/2026 15:15

Lions of England
29/09/2026 15:15

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