Nico Williams slips at Wembley, drawing criticism from Alfredo Relaño

Sports journalist Nico Williams, before the England‑Spain match in the Nations League, noted that the slip of the Athletic winger at Wembley caused Anthony Gordon's equalising goal and questioned Williams' continued place in the starting lineup for the national team after the World Cup.

The play that sparked the controversy

In the 36th minute of the first half, Williams' slip gave Jude Bellingham a free run, who threaded the pass that Anthony Gordon converted to level it 1‑1. Alfredo Relaño described the episode as “the misfortune that he slipped and that’s where the goal came from” and concluded his analysis without reservation: “He is not up to the standard of the match.”

Implications for the line‑up and the immediate future

Luis de la Fuente had handed the left flank back to Williams, replacing Álex Baena, who had occupied that wing during the tournament. After the goal, the manager withdrew Williams and Ferran Torres at halftime, bringing on Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal, who later scored so that Spain finished 3‑2.

Spain chase a win in Split before the Nations League quarter‑finals

Relaño also recalled that Williams arrived at the World Cup with a left hamstring tear and that his minutes in the tournament were limited, which fuels the debate about his role in the national team.

Relaño’s analysis comes as Spain tops Group A3 and extends its streak to 40 official matches without defeat, and ahead of its next fixture against Croatia on September 29 in Seville.

Spain chase group lead as Olmo warns of a dangerous Croatia in Split