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SPAIN VS ENGLAND

Spain 2-3 England match report: UEFA Nations League Group A4

England earned a famous victory in Spain thanks to three first-half goals (two from Sterling, one from Rashford). Alcácer gave La Roja hope when he came on, but Ramos' goal came too late.

SEVILLE, SPAIN - OCTOBER 15:  Raheem Sterling of England celebrates as he scores his team's first goal during the UEFA Nations League A Group Four match between Spain and England at Estadio Benito Villamarin on October 15, 2018 in Seville, Spain.  (P
Michael ReganGetty Images

Spain 2-3 England: match report

Spain missed the chance to become the opening country to book their UEFA Nations League finals spot after England's first-half triple salvo condemned La Roja to their first competitive home defeat in 15 years on Monday night.

Sterling, Rashford strike to end England's 31-year pain in Spain

Superbly-taken goals by Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Sterling again saw the visitors race into a 3-0 half-time lead in front of a Benito Villamarín crowd who were, not without reason, utterly stunned; after all, it is the first time the Spaniards have conceded three on home turf in a competitive fixture.

And despite substitute Paco Alcácer and Sergio Ramos' second-half goals for the hosts, England held on for a famous win - their first away to Spain since 1987 - that kept their hopes of qualifying for June's finals alive.

Spain aggrieved not to get penalty at 3-1

Luis Enrique's side, who would have qualified from Group A4 with victory in Seville, rallied in the second 45 in their efforts to turn around the deficit - and, had referee Szymon Marciniak awarded a penalty at 3-1 when Jordan Pickford appeared to haul down Rodrigo Moreno, things might have turned out differently.

As it was, however, the 2010 World Cup winners could not prevent England from ending their 38-game unbeaten home run in competitive football, one that had stretched all the way back to a defeat by Greece in June 2003.

England celebrate Raheem Sterling's opening goal in Seville.
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England celebrate Raheem Sterling's opening goal in Seville.Michael ReganGetty Images

Group A4 comes down to Croatia games in November

Spain must now beat Croatia in Zagreb on 15 November to ensure they top the group ahead of Gareth Southgate's men, who host the Croats three days later.

Spain 2-3 England: as it happened

Spain vs England: Nations League preview

Spain host England in Seville tonight (20:45 CEST) looking to continue their excellent start to life under Luis Enrique, and confirm their place in the UEFA Nations League finals.

Spain

The Spaniards, who made it three wins from three under their new boss with a 4-1 friendly thumping of Wales on Thursday, can book their spot in the last four with victory over the Three Lions at the Estadio Benito Villamarín, while a draw would leave them all but through.

Spain sit top of Nations League Group A4 with six points from six after beating England 2-1 in September's section opener at Wembley and thumping Croatia 6-0 in Elche three days later.

England

Having followed up that defeat to Spain with a goalless draw at Croatia on Friday, meanwhile, Gareth Southgate's England must take all three points this evening if they are to retain any hope of reaching June's finals.

However, that requires ending a run of just over three decades without a win over Spain on Spanish soil: England haven't managed such a result since Gary Lineker scored all four in a 4-2 friendly triumph in Madrid back in February 1987.

Spain vs England: confirmed line-ups

Spain XI: De Gea, Jonny, Nacho, Ramos, Alonso, Thiago, Busquets, Saúl, Asensio, Rodrigo Moreno, Aspas

England XI: Pickford, Trippier, Gomez, Maguire, Chilwell, Winks, Dier, Barkley, Sterling, Kane, Rashford