Spain hit defensive low after England first-half drubbing
The hosts surrendered three goals at home for the first time ever in a competitive match
Spain may have been flying high coming into their Nations League match against England, but the Three Lions brought them to a new low in the first half of the clash in Seville.
The hosts entered play with three wins in three since their World Cup exit against Russia, including a victory over England at Wembley and a clattering of finalists Croatia 6-0 in their first two Nations League contests.
Things looked set to continue after a 4-1 drubbing of Wales in a friendly last Thursday, but things turned around against England on Monday.
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A brace from Raheem Sterling on either side of a Marcus Rashford goal saw the Three Lions jump out to a 3-0 advantage by the half on Spain.
It is something that might have been unexpected because it has never been seen before – it was the first time Spain have ever conceded three goals at home in a competitive match, let alone in just one half.
It has been a long time coming for England against Spain in an away match.
The last player who found the back of the net for the Three Lions in Spain was Gary Lineker back in 1987, a wait over over 30 years for the visitors before Sterling finally broke through.
It broke an goal drought for Sterling as well, and while it wasn’t anywhere near 31 years, the Manchester City striker will still no doubt be glad to put it behind him in such an emphatic fashion.
Sterling had last found the back of the net for England in October 2015 against Estonia – an agonising stretch of 1102 days, spanning the 2016 Euros and the 2018 World Cup.
Having enjoyed his 16th minute opener so much, Sterling added a tap-in 22 minutes later, to complete his first-ever brace for the Three Lions.
It was also a night of firsts for Harry Kane, as the striker turned provider on both Sterling’s second and Rashford’s goal. It was Kane’s first two-assist game in an England shirt.
But while England was buzzing in the first half, one of the hottest player in the world made his impact in the second 45.
Paco Alcacer has been in form for both club and country of late, scoring in four straight games for Borussia Dortmund and Spain.
The striker didn’t get the start against England, but came on in the 57th minute for Spain. And just moments later, he made it a fifth straight game with a goal to reduce the deficit to 3-1 and made it nine goals over that span.
That strike meant Alcacer has scored with all of his last 10 shots on target.
However, neither that goal, nor Sergio Ramos’ headed finish on the last kick of the game proved enough to erase the deficit, as England came away with a 3-2 victory and their first win in Spain since Lineker scored there in 1987.