Spain extend 39-game unbeaten run with 3-2 comeback win over England at Wembley

Key points

• Spain won 3-2 against England at Wembley on September 26, 2026, in the UEFA Nations League.
• Lamine Yamal scored the first goal for Spain in the second minute after a defensive mistake by Marc Guehi.
• Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane put England ahead 2-1 before halftime.
• Harry Kane missed a penalty in the second half, which proved to be a turning point in the match.
• Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal scored the final two goals for Spain to secure the victory.
• Marc Cucurella was involved in both England goals and had two penalty appeals denied by referee Davide Massa.

Background

This match marked the start of the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 campaign for both teams. Spain, the reigning world and European champions, had been unbeaten in 38 matches prior to this game. England, managed by Thomas Tuchel, were seeking to recover from a World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina. Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen returned to the Spain squad after being left out of the World Cup but did not feature in the match. The previous archive coverage noted that Spain will next face Croatia in Seville.

How outlets are covering it

Managing Madrid focused on the poor performance of Real Madrid defender Marc Cucurella, noting his involvement in both England goals and two disallowed penalty appeals. BBC emphasized the contrast between England's 'chaotic' approach and Spain's controlled style, highlighting that England's defensive errors, particularly by Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly, were decisive. Al Jazeera highlighted the significance of Spain's 39-game unbeaten run and the impact of Harry Kane's missed penalty. All sources agreed that England's defensive mistakes and Spain's ability to capitalize on them were the key factors in the result.

Why it matters

The result extends Spain's unbeaten run to 39 matches, reinforcing their status as the world's best team. For England, the loss highlights ongoing defensive issues and the need for greater control in high-pressure matches. The match also provided a platform for Real Madrid players Marc Cucurella and Dean Huijsen to represent their national team, with Cucurella's performance drawing particular scrutiny.

What to watch

Spain will next face Croatia in Seville in the UEFA Nations League. England will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and improve their consistency in high-stakes matches. Real Madrid will monitor the form of their players, particularly Cucurella, as the domestic season approaches.