England’s DNA talk sparks Gordon’s strike yet falls short against Spain

England fell 3-2 to Spain in a Nations League thriller at Wembley on Saturday, a result that left the Three Lions without the three points they needed. Anthony Gordon, who had warned the side to embrace its own DNA, opened the scoring for England, but the defeat meant the World Cup winners missed the chance to beat the reigning champions.

Pre‑match philosophy

On Thursday, Gordon – who plays his club football for Barcelona – told reporters that England were trying to copy Spain’s style and needed to rely on their own strengths. “I’m speaking from a point of view where I feel like we are trying to replicate Spain,” he said, urging the team to stop looking at other countries and to play the way they are good at.

His comments came before a match in which England, the World Cup winners, faced Spain, the bronze medallists, in a contest that would test whether the DNA argument held any water.

Match turning points

The opening drama unfolded within the first ninety seconds when Marc Guéhi, caught in possession inside his own half, allowed Lamine Yamal to sprint forward and put Spain ahead. A second early mistake saw Nico O’Reilly mis‑place a pass back into his own penalty area, enabling Alex Baena to level the score at 2‑2.

England responded quickly. Elliot Anderson won the ball, fed Gordon, whose deft touch set up Jude Bellingham, and Gordon’s finish past Unai Simón restored England’s lead.

England's quickfire double shocks Spain at Wembley

Harry Kane then headed in from a Nico O’Reilly cross, making it 3‑2, before missing a penalty that hit the bar – a chance that could have given England a two‑goal cushion.

After the final whistle, Gordon described himself as “gutted” about the mistakes that cost England the win. “It feels more like we gave it away than Spain winning it,” he said, adding that the missed penalty “might have put us in a great position to go on and get more.”

Kane echoed the sentiment, telling ITV that England had played “toe‑to‑toe” with the world and European champions and that on another day they would have won.

Gordon backs Tuchel's substitution after England's loss to Spain

Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager, admitted the side made “too many mistakes” and that the missed penalty “may have been the decisive moment.” He also highlighted the “terrible start” and the “big mistakes” that allowed Spain to equalise.

Gordon’s post‑match interview also featured a Dutch quote: “Een gemiste kans,” he said, reflecting on the missed opportunities. The evening also saw news that Manchester City were found guilty of 114 of the 115 Premier League charges, a backdrop that involved three Citizens in the England squad.