UEFA Nations League 2018-19, Spain 2-3 England: 3 Things we learned from the match

Sterling scored a brace in the first half
Sterling scored a brace in the first half

England beat Spain at the Benito Villamarín Stadium in Seville. This was a very good game with so many great actions and goals.

The final result was 2-3 for the Three Lions. England are now unbeaten in their last 21 competitive away matches. England has four points from three matches in UEFA Nations League Group 4. Spain remains at the first place with six points after three matches played.

Spain started this match with some very good chances to score a goal. However, in the 16th minute of the game Sterling scored the opening goal of the game.

Sterling's goal came after a real quick counter-attack in which Rashford played the most important role with a beautiful assist to Sterling.

In the 29th minute of the game, Marcus Rashford scored the second goal after another beautifully played counter-attack. England scored another goal in the first half. The scorer was again Sterling after a beautiful action started by Ross Barkley.

Spain managed to score two goals in the second half but they were not enough for a point. In the 58th minute of the game, Paco Alcacer scored another goal to continue his brilliant form.

Spain's second goal came in the 90th minute of the game with Sergio Ramos finishing with a header.

Let's analyse this match by looking into the lessons we learned from the match.


#1 England's attacking trio was on fire

Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling: An exceptional performance from England's attacking trio
Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane and Raheem Sterling: An exceptional performance from England's attacking trio

England started this match in a 4-3-3 formation with Marcus Rashford, Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane forming the attacking trio.

These three players also played in the match against Croatia on Friday. Sterling finally ended his scoring drought with two goals tonight.

After the match against Croatia in which Rashford missed some unbelievable shots, he played a very good game against Spain with a goal and an assist to his name.

Harry Kane provided two assists: one for Rashford and the other one for Sterling. England's attacking trio was just unstoppable for Spain's defence tonight. Their combinations were a real joy to watch.

#2 Exceptional performance from Ross Barkley

Barkley has started this season in very good form
Barkley has started this season in very good form

Ross Barkley came to Chelsea from Everton in January 2018. However, he was struggling because of injuries during his career.

This summer, Maurizio Sarri came to Chelsea and from the beginning, he made it clear that Barkley will have a huge role in his squad. Barkley has started this season in very good form.

Last weekend, Barkley played his best match in Chelsea's shirt against Southampton and he earned his call for the England National Team. Barkley started both games during this international break: against Croatia and against Spain.

This match against Spain was another piece of brilliance from Barkley. He completely bossed the midfield and he was exceptional against Spain's midfield.

He also started the action that led to England's third goal with a cheeky pass behind Spain's defence. If he continues like this then he could become a very important player for the Three Lions in the future.

#3 Paco Alcacer needs to be in the starting lineup

Paco Alcacer has been in scintillating form this season
Paco Alcacer has been in scintillating form this season

Spain manager, Luis Enrique also started this match with a 4-3-3 formation. Marco Asensio, Iago Aspas and Rodrigo Moreno led the attacking line.

They were very harmless especially during the first half of this game. Because of that, Enrique decided to introduce Paco Alcacer in the 57th minute of the game.

After just one minute on the field, Alcacer scored a goal after a corner kick. He now has 10 goals scored in the last six matches for both club and country. Alcacer started the game against Wales on Friday and he scored two goals in that match.

He is in really good form and Luis Enrique must utilise that. Alcacer is Spain's best striker at the moment and he deserves to be in the starting lineup. His positioning is very helpful for Spain's positional play and he is a real aerial threat.

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Edited by Alan John
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