Spain showed why they are the best national team in the world by emerging 3-2 winners from a thrilling, chaotic Nations League clash at Wembley, in which England's flaws undermined their exciting attacking play. Bad errors from Marc Guehi and Nico O'Reilly helped Lamine Yamal and Alex Baena score Spain's first two and England were cut open through the match, including for Mikel Oyarzabal's winner which came with 16 minutes to play. Anthony Gordon had urged England to lean into their traditional strengths this week and they did just that with an exceptional counter-attack to make it 1-1, which saw the winger combine with Jude Bellingham before precisely applying the finish.

Harry Kane's header from O'Reilly's cross made it 2-1 and capped an incredible transformation in the match. There was then a pivotal moment, when England were awarded a penalty at the start of the second half, when Rodri was judged to have fouled Bellingham, following a VAR check. But Kane slipped and sent his spot-kick against the bar - and Spain capitalised.

Ferran Torres may have passed up two one-on-one chances in the first half, but Spain were clinical after the missed spot-kick to go top of Nations League Group A3. With this result, Spain's record-breaking unbeaten streak is also extended to 39 games. England will now have to find a way to beat them in Madrid in November - and win against Czech Republic and Croatia in the meantime - if they are to make it to the Nations League finals and show they are capable of toppling the best when it matters.