Álex Baena drives Spain's comeback at Wembley
At Wembley Stadium, under the floodlights, Álex Baena entered the pitch five minutes after coming on for Nico Williams and, with a right-footed strike from the edge of the box, equalised at two. Forty‑eight minutes later, Mikel Oyarzabal received a through ball and sealed the final 2‑3 for Spain.
Luis de la Fuente made the changes in the 55th minute, taking off Nico Williams and Ferran Torres to bring on Álex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal. At that moment England led 2‑1. The two Spanish substitutes were the authors of the goals that would reverse the score.
The double success from the bench
The double success from the bench became the most prominent news of the night for the Spanish national team. According to Periodista Deportivo, the intervention of the substitutes weighed more than any other action in the match. Moreover, the young Marc Guéhi, who had lost the ball at the start, was forgotten after the comeback.
Spain needed less than two minutes to take the lead: Marc Guéhi lost the ball, Lamine Yamal recovered it, advanced and beat goalkeeper James Trafford. In the eighth minute a second Spanish goal was disallowed. Ferran Torres wasted two clear chances that could have consolidated the advantage.
Spain reviews Eric García's injury after beating England
English recovery and halftime 2‑1
In the 36th minute, a loss in midfield allowed Anthony Gordon to combine with Jude Bellingham and finish against Unai Simón. Four minutes later, Nico O'Reilly doubled Gordon, crossed into the area and Harry Kane headed; the ball brushed past Marc Cucurella and unsettled the goalkeeper, leaving England with 2‑1 at halftime.
At the start of the second half, Davide Massa pointed to a penalty after Bellingham went down, but Kane lost his balance and smashed the ball against the crossbar. Five minutes later, after a pass from Dani Olmo, Baena struck with his right foot from the edge of the box and levelled the score at 2‑2. Fourteen minutes later, Rodri found Oyarzabal, who was left alone against Trafford and shot over, completing the comeback.
Marc Cucurella faces a tough night against England at Wembley
With the victory, Spain adds its first three points and tops Group A, followed by Croatia and the Czech Republic, while England, coached by Thomas Tuchel, starts third. On Tuesday, September 29, the team will host Croatia at the Ramón Sánchez‑Pizjuán, and the English rematch will be played on November 15 at the Metropolitano.