England’s latest result was not just a defeat. It was another reminder that even when they find control in a big game, they still have to protect it, and that has become the harder part. At Wembley, Spain came from behind to win 3-2 after Harry Kane missed a 54th-minute penalty, turning a promising England lead into another painful collapse.
The match began badly for England when Lamine Yamal scored in the second minute, but Thomas Tuchel’s side responded well enough to go in front before half-time through Anthony Gordon and Kane. At 2-1, England had the sort of advantage they needed to manage the game from a position of strength. Instead, the match flipped again after the break.
The penalty changed the momentum
Kane’s miss from the spot in the 54th minute was the decisive swing. Hitting the crossbar meant England had a chance to restore their lead and instead handed Spain another opening. Shortly after, Álex Baena scored to make it 2-2, and later Mikel Oyarzabal delivered the winner. In a game that had already moved quickly, that sequence was enough to settle it.
That is the most worrying part of England results like this one. They were not overwhelmed for long stretches, and they were not without attacking moments, but they again allowed a lead to slip in a high-profile match. That kind of pattern matters more than any single scoreline because it suggests a problem with game management, not just finishing.
Tuchel’s goalkeeper call added another layer
Tuchel also made a notable selection decision by starting James Trafford ahead of Jordan Pickford. That choice stood out because it went against his stated intention for continuity from the World Cup. It did not decide the result on its own, but it did underline how early this England project already is under a coach who is still testing what his strongest structure should look like.
Spain’s recent record gives the result extra weight. They won the World Cup in the summer and the European Championship before that, so this was not a routine test against a decent opponent. It was a game against a team that knows how to absorb pressure, punish mistakes and finish matches when the moment opens.
England still have the talent to compete in games like this, and the early spell showed that clearly. The concern is that talent alone is not enough when the match becomes volatile. If England keep creating chances but keep losing control after setbacks, then the headline will stay the same: competitive performances, disappointing England results.
