"SPANISH HIGH" Daily Mirror

Spain Team

England Team

Wow, what a difference a couple of days make!  England travelled to Spain in the knowledge that a defeat would be a disaster for their hopes in this European Nations League group. Judging by Spain’s home record over the past years and our record in Spain, few would have expected the way things turned out, but goodness me what a night it was.

Spain began strongly, attacking England’s young defenders from all angles, and in the first ten minutes there were a number of narrow squeaks. Kieran Trippier made one very timely interception and tackle on Jonny, the Spanish full-back, as he almost got through. Several corners were given away and from one Marcos Alonso’s cross-shot hit Jordan Pickford on the head before flying clear. The keeper didn’t know much about that one, but then England broke away and Raheem Sterling’s cross to the near post was cleared as Harry Kane looked ready to pounce.

Eric Dier was unlucky when a firm (very firm) tackle on Spanish golden boy Sergio Ramos was penalised with a booking from the Polish referee. Dier certainly made his presence felt on Spain’s skipper, but there was nothing wrong with the challenge. It was obvious that both sides were determined to grab the three points in this vital match, and the intensity was fierce, to say the least. It was great to see a large and very vocal crowd for this game, a bit different from the morgue-like experience in Croatia.

England gradually settled to their task, but on 16 minutes things changed dramatically as a wonderful counter-attack saw the visitors take the lead with a superb goal. Pickford found Kane just inside his own half with one of the keeper’s trademark raking passes. Kane turned and spotted a run down the left by Marcus Rashford and fed him the ball. Rashford looked up and sent a through pass, played to perfection, into the path of Sterling. For a player who hadn’t scored an England goal for a while, you would have thought there may be an element of indecision. But Sterling was having none of it, as he side-stepped a defender before drilling a fabulous shot into the far top corner, a goal reminiscent of Michael Owen’s against Argentina all those years ago. The crowd were stunned, the England fans were stunned, and the Spanish players looked just a little bit shocked!

When England took the lead in the game against Spain at Wembley earlier in this tournament, they hit back immediately with an equaliser. Here they tried it again but Marco Asensio fired over with his shot. Meanwhile, Ross Barkley so nearly sent Sterling away again, but desperate defending stopped the move, and then Spain rallied to win another corner. England had to defend hard again as Spain tried to respond to the temerity of England scoring a goal against them. How dare they! Ben Chilwell, who had a magnificent game, did well to get the better of Iago Aspas, but almost all of the possession was Spain’s and England had to concentrate as they defended their precious lead.

Then, in the 30th minute, another stunning goal by England completely flummoxed the Spanish crowd. Another fabulous clearance by Pickford found Kane battling with a defender. His hold-up play was superb, but his pass to Rashford was even better and this time the Manchester United striker made no mistake as he took his chance to bury his shot past his United teammate David de Gea. The England players celebrated wildly, and quite rightly. What an amazing half-hour it had been. Another classic counter-attack, executed to perfection, England were in dreamland!

Still Spain dominated possession, but who cared? The home side were more than stunned, they were flabbergasted! Their ’flabber’ had never been more ’gasted’ as Frankie Howerd would have said.

Eight minutes after the second goal the England fans erupted again, as unbelievably their heroes scored a third goal. After a bout of pressure on the Spanish goal the ball ran to Barkley just outside the Spain penalty area. He cleverly spotted Kane’s intelligent run and chipped a sublime pass forward. Kane stretched to send the ball across goal and there was the jubilant Sterling to score yet another goal. London Buses!! Three shots, three goals, de Gea must have been fuming.

Not surprisingly, Spain then hit back and Alonso shot wide as they tried to find something before the break. A corner was cleared and another breakaway by England so nearly fashioned another goal as Barkley and Sterling combined. What a half, 3-0 up, and the whole of Spain totally deflated. That will teach the crowd to disrespect our National Anthem before the start!

Of course, it was only half-time, and with England we have learned over the years that the game is not over until it’s over. Sure enough, Spain came out with a renewed vigour. Urged on by their raucous fans they pushed England back, but the players dug in, showed a wonderful will to work and graft, and they repelled all that Spain threw at them. Spain sent on Francisco Alcacer in the 57th minute and within 60 seconds of coming on the ace goalscorer, currently on loan to Borussia Dortmund, pulled a goal back. England should have defended this better as first Pickford fumbled an easy catch to give away a corner and then from the kick, Kane and Barkley failed to stop Alcacer heading the ball at the near post. The ball looping up and over the goalkeeper to give Spain hope.

Five minutes later, on 63 minutes another incident involving Pickford was probably a turning point. Now, come on, let’s face it, England rarely get the rub of the green from referees, but on this occasion the decision went their way. Pickford was pfaffing around with the ball at his feet, getting in a tangle and Rodrigo robbed him. As the two players tussled there was a definite pull of the Spaniard’s shirt. Hearts in the mouth time, but the ref saw nothing wrong, and neither did the extra official behind the goalline, who was only a couple of yards away. Pickford ended the incident with a very good tackle to concede just a corner. Phew!

With 70 minutes gone, England’s exertions were starting to tell, but the whole team stuck manfully to their task with Rashford, Kane and Sterling all doing their share of the defending needed.

Alonso shot wide, as did Alcacer, but Joe Gomez so nearly set up Rashford for what might have been a clincher. The pace of the game never let up, with ten minutes to go Pickford saved well from Alcacer again, and then Chilwell, magnificent throughout, so nearly set up Kane. A goal for Kane would have been the icing on the cake for England, but no-one can deny what a fine match the skipper had. Asensio had two good late chances, but blew them both, just as the signal went up from the 4th official that there would be seven minutes of added time. SEVEN MINUTES!!

Spain kept going, still believing they could save the match, but the young England Lions stayed remarkably cool under non-stop pressure. With just seconds to go Ramos headed a fine goal, but to all the England fans relief, the referee blew the final whistle before the kick-off could be taken. And that was it. A thrilling and brilliant England performance with every player putting in a superb shift to thoroughly deserve this huge win.

A final word, Spain had never before conceded three goals at home in a competitive match!. They have now!
  

Source Notes