Spain produce late comeback to tame the Three Lions
England looked to be heading for a comfortable victory against Spain, before Iago Aspas pulled one back in the 89th minute then Isco equalised with virtually the last kick of the game.
England looked to be heading for a comfortable victory against Spain, before Iago Aspas pulled one back in the 89th minute then Isco equalised with virtually the last kick of the game.
It was a frustrating evening for England as Spain scored twice at the death, just as England appeared to be heading for a comfortable win.
Making his first start for England under Gareth Southgate, Jamie Vardy's evening could over before it really started. The Leicester striker flew into an early challenge on Cesar Azpilicueta, winning the ball but catching the Chelsea man on the follow through halfway up his shin. Fortunately for Vardy, the referee simply awarded Spain a free-kick, but it could have easily been a red card and definitely merited a yellow.
While Vardy may have been lucky not to be sent off, Pepe Reina in the Spain goal was also lucky to remain on the field as he brought down Vardy after the striker had rounded the former Liverpool, with England winning a penalty. The experienced 'keeper was definitely let off the hook - just like Vardy - given that the match was a friendly. Adam Lallana stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake, firing the ball into Reina's top left corner. However, this happened to be his last contribution to the game as he limped off shortly afterwards and Liverpool will hope that the injury isnt't too serious given his impressive start to the season.
Spain produced little threat in the first 45 minutes, but it was Sevilla forward Vitolo who had Julen Lopetegui's side's best chance of the half, as he scuffed his shot wide after being found by Mata from the right.
England took a deserved narrow lead into the break and came out firing on all cylinders. Less than three minutes into the second half and Southgate's side had a second goal, as Jamie Vardy capitalised on some bad defending from Iñigo Martinez to head home from a Jordan Henderson cross.
The rest of the second half was broken up by a number of substitutes from both sides, with no real chances of note until the dying stages. However, it was Spain substitute Iago Aspas who lit up the game by providing undoubtedly the best goal of the evening. The Celta Vigo star - and Liverpool flop - scored with a lovely finish on his international debut in the 89th minute, curling the ball around John Stones with his left foot, finding the top corner with a little help from the post.
Spain then pushed for an equaliser which they found in the final minute of injury time. The ball was chipped to Isco - who should have been tracked more closely by Eric Dier - and took the ball wonderfully on his chest before finishing through the legs of England's substitute goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
On the balance of play, England probably should have won the game, but were taught an important lesson by a Spain side with a great depth of talent. However, when the dust settles, Southgate will probably take more positives than negatives from the game.