England vs Spain - UEFA Nations League RECAP: Reaction as world champions come from behind to beat Three Lions in thriller

By MICHAEL PAVITT, SPORTS REPORTER and IAN LADYMAN, FOOTBALL EDITOR and OLIVER HOLT, CHIEF SPORTS WRITER and KIERAN GILL, MAIL SPORT REPORTER

Updated: 23:47 BST, 26 September 2026

Recap Daily Mail Sport's live blog as England host world champions Spain in the UEFA Nations League in their first match since the World Cup.

Thanks for joining us!

That's all from us as England start their Nations League campaign with defeat to world champions Spain.

Join us again on Tuesday as the Three Lions look to bounce back in the Czech Republic.

Goodbye!

Thomas Tuchel is developing an unfortunate habit - his unique selling point was supposed to be dragging England across the line but he was again powerless as Spain expose gulf in class

Here is Oliver Holt's match report from Wembley as he reflects on another night when England have failed to get across the line in a big match under Thomas Tuchel.

Tuchel was powerless to help England keep their lead against Lionel Messi and co in Atlanta in July and he was powerless to help them protect their advantage against Spain at a sold-out Wembley last night. It is getting to be rather an unfortunate habit for a boss whose unique selling point was supposed to be dragging England across the line.

The hard truth is that even though England led at half-time, the opening 45 minutes had exposed a gulf between them and Luis de la Fuente’s side, reigning world and European Champions, whose unbeaten run now stretches to 39 games. They thoroughly deserved their 3-2 victory.

What next for England?

The Three Lions will next be in action on Tuesday when they take on the Czech Republic away in their second Nations League fixture.

That is followed by a trip to Croatia on October 3, before another match against the Czech Republic at Wembley on October 6.

Tuchel rues 'too many mistakes'

England boss Thomas Tuchel has been speaking to ITV post-match, expressing his frustration at his side making 'too many mistakes' in the defeat.

Gordon: 'A missed chance'

Anthony Gordon tells ITV he believes tonight was a 'missed chance' for England.

I think it was a bit of a missed chance. I thought it was a great game to watch and to play in, some of the attacking play was at the highest level. But I think in a game like that mistakes cost you.

You always feel like it's you're giving it away rather than them winning it. But of course you could argue both teams because they were as good as us and we were as good as them.

I'm just gutted about the mistakes.

'There is still a gulf between these sides'

OLIVER HOLT AT WEMBLEY:

England made a decent fist of the contest but the truth is they were outclassed by Spain tonight.

A 3-2 scoreline flattered Tuchel's side, even if Harry Kane did miss a penalty. There is still a gulf between these two teams.

FULL TIME: England 2-3 Spain

It is victory for world champions Spain at Wembley after an entertaining match.

England will be disappointed with the nature of the goals they have conceded tonight, while they also saw Harry Kane miss a penalty when leading 2-1.

In truth, England could have conceded more tonight with Spain missing several golden chances to put the hosts out of sight.

Bellingham tests the palms of Unai Simon after showing quick feet on the edge of the box.

Spain deal with the England corner.

England 2-3 Spain

Unai Simon catches Elliot Anderson's delivery from the free kick. A real waste from England.