LONDON — There are football rivalries, and then there is England vs Spain Wembley — a fixture that keeps producing nights nobody forgets. On Saturday, September 26, 2026, world champions Spain came from behind to beat England 3–2 in a UEFA Nations League thriller under the arch, extending their astonishing unbeaten run to 39 matches and denying the hosts a cathartic win in their first outing since the World Cup.
It was the standout fixture of the Nations League’s opening round, played in front of a sold-out Wembley — tickets never even reached general sale, selling out during the England+ members window — and it delivered five goals, a missed penalty, and a finish that will sting in England for a long time. This England vs Spain Wembley encounter will be remembered as an instant classic.
England vs Spain Wembley: how the men’s thriller unfolded
England’s night started as badly as possible. After less than two minutes, Lamine Yamal pounced on a gaffe by defender Marc Guehi deep in the England half, dispossessing him and firing low past goalkeeper James Trafford into the far corner. Spain, playing their first match since lifting the World Cup, could easily have been three goals up as they carved out chance after chance — the World Cup final’s winning scorer Ferran Torres twice failing to convert when through on goal.
But Thomas Tuchel’s side, criticized for ultra-defensive tactics during their World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, showed adventure. In the 36th minute, Anthony Gordon finished a rapid counter-attack — released by Jude Bellingham — to level the score. Four minutes later, England were ahead: captain Harry Kane headed home Nico O’Reilly’s cross via a Marc Cucurella deflection, and Wembley erupted.
The turning point came 10 minutes into the second half. England were awarded a penalty after Rodri was judged to have fouled Bellingham, and Kane stepped up with the chance to make it 3–1. He slipped slightly as he planted his standing foot and crashed his effort against the crossbar.
Spain seized the reprieve. Substitute Alex Baena equalized in the 60th minute after a misplaced Nico O’Reilly pass handed the visitors possession, and in the 74th minute Mikel Oyarzabal — who also scored the winner against England in the Euro 2024 final — produced another moment of Wembley heartbreak, dinking delicately over Trafford to complete the comeback.
“We couldn’t unfortunately convert the penalty, that may have been the decisive moment,” Tuchel told ITV Sport afterwards. “The third goal, I think, was the only goal that they really scored. The other ones there were too many individual big mistakes.” Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, meanwhile, said he felt his team had largely been in control against “superpower” England — and was confident they would have come back even from 3–1 down.
39 games unbeaten: Spain’s record run rolls on
The England vs Spain Wembley victory extended Spain’s unbeaten run to 39 matches — a record for a European team. It was also a statement of intent from Luis de la Fuente’s men in their first game since beating Argentina in the World Cup final: the world and European champions remain the team to beat, and they can now win ugly as well as beautifully.
For England, the defeat was a reminder of the gap that still exists. The hosts reached the World Cup semi-finals before falling to Argentina, ultimately finishing third, and this was billed as a measuring stick. For 40 minutes they looked the equal of the world champions. For the other 50, they looked like a team still learning how to sustain its best level — Kane’s own post-match verdict to ITV: “We reached good levels at the World Cup but didn’t quite put a full 90 minutes together. Probably similar again today.”
As reported by the Malay Mail via AFP, Spain twice recovered from conceding the lead before Oyarzabal settled the contest — the latest chapter in a rivalry that has now delivered an all-time classic at Wembley.
England vs Spain Wembley: a tale of two results under the arch
There is, though, another England–Spain story at Wembley this year — one with a happier ending for the hosts. Earlier in 2026, the Lionesses beat Spain 1–0 at the national stadium in a Women’s World Cup qualifier, with Lauren Hemp’s third-minute strike proving decisive against the reigning world champions, as reported by Sky Sports.
That night belonged to England’s women: Hemp’s early goal, goal-line technology confirming it had crossed by the finest of margins, and a defensive stand that kept Spain’s vaunted attack at bay to move the Lionesses three points clear in their qualifying group. It was the same fixture, the same stadium, the same opponent — and the opposite result.
So the 2026 England vs Spain Wembley ledger reads as a tale of two results under the arch: the Lionesses’ famous 1–0 qualifying win in the spring, and the men’s 3–2 Nations League heartbreak in September. Same rivalry, same stage — wildly different endings.
For more on the weekend’s sporting headlines, see our coverage of the Presidents Cup and the latest college football news.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the score in England vs Spain at Wembley on September 26, 2026?
Spain beat England 3–2 in the UEFA Nations League Group A3 opener at Wembley. Lamine Yamal, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal scored for Spain; Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane scored for England, who also missed a second-half penalty.
How long is Spain’s unbeaten run after beating England?
Spain extended their unbeaten run to 39 matches — a record for a European team — with the 3–2 comeback win at Wembley on September 26, 2026.
Did the Lionesses also play Spain at Wembley in 2026?
Yes — earlier in 2026, England’s Lionesses beat Spain 1–0 at Wembley in a Women’s World Cup qualifier, with Lauren Hemp scoring in the third minute, according to Sky Sports.
Who is England’s coach after the World Cup?
Thomas Tuchel remains England’s coach. The FA stood by the German after England’s World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina, with attention now turning to Euro 2028.
