England Hand Spain First Home Loss in 15 Years
MADRID (Dispatches) - It was an odd scene at Benito Villamarin Stadium in Seville: The few visiting English fans were chanting "Ole" at every touch of the ball by their squad, while the home Spanish crowd was jeering its own players.
It was only halftime and the Spaniards had already seen their national team concede three goals for the first time ever in a competitive match at home. By the end, they were witnesses to La Roja's first home loss in 15 years.
Raheem Sterling scored twice and Marcus Rashford once in a stunning first half for England, which held on to beat Spain 3-2 in the UEFA Nations League to get back in contention for a spot in the final four of Europe's newest competition.
In the other match in League A, Iceland lost to Switzerland 2-1 and were relegated to the second-tier League B.
Sterling ended his three-year scoring drought with England with goals on each side of Rashford's strike before the break, leading England to their first win in Spain since 1987.
"For a young team, they put in an incredibly mature performance, withstood pressure reasonably well and should all be really proud," England coach Gareth Southgate said.
Spain suffered their first loss in a competitive match at home since 2003 against Greece. They hadn't lost at home in 38 matches, and had not conceded three goals in a home match since 1991 in a friendly against Hungary.
"It shows how tough it is to come here and win and we have done that," England forward Harry Kane said. "We came out of the blocks firing, great pressing."
********England's players celebrate the third goal of their team during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Spain and England at Benito Villamarin stadium, in Seville, Spain, Oct 15, 2018.
It was only halftime and the Spaniards had already seen their national team concede three goals for the first time ever in a competitive match at home. By the end, they were witnesses to La Roja's first home loss in 15 years.
Raheem Sterling scored twice and Marcus Rashford once in a stunning first half for England, which held on to beat Spain 3-2 in the UEFA Nations League to get back in contention for a spot in the final four of Europe's newest competition.
In the other match in League A, Iceland lost to Switzerland 2-1 and were relegated to the second-tier League B.
Sterling ended his three-year scoring drought with England with goals on each side of Rashford's strike before the break, leading England to their first win in Spain since 1987.
"For a young team, they put in an incredibly mature performance, withstood pressure reasonably well and should all be really proud," England coach Gareth Southgate said.
Spain suffered their first loss in a competitive match at home since 2003 against Greece. They hadn't lost at home in 38 matches, and had not conceded three goals in a home match since 1991 in a friendly against Hungary.
"It shows how tough it is to come here and win and we have done that," England forward Harry Kane said. "We came out of the blocks firing, great pressing."
********England's players celebrate the third goal of their team during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Spain and England at Benito Villamarin stadium, in Seville, Spain, Oct 15, 2018.