SM
Watford vs. Leeds: 14 hrs 1 min
Upcoming predictions and previews
EN
International Friendlies
Nov 15, 2016 at 8pm UK
 
SN

2-2

Lallana (9' pen.), Vardy (48')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Aspas (89'), Isco (96')

England throw away two-goal lead against Spain

:Headline: Result: England throw away two-goal lead against Spain: ID:285375: from db_amp
England throw away a two-goal lead from the 89th minute to succumb to a 2-2 draw at home to Spain at Wembley in Gareth Southgate's final match in interim charge.

England threw away a two-goal lead in the dying stages of their international friendly with Spain this evening as the visitors rescued a late 2-2 draw at Wembley.

Goals from Adam Lallana and Jamie Vardy had seemingly set the hosts on their way to victory in Gareth Southgate's final match in interim charge of the team, but Iago Aspas and Isco struck late on to maintain Julen Lopetegui's unbeaten start to life as Spain boss.

Southgate began the match as heavy favourite to get the job on a permanent basis after overseeing two wins and a draw from his opening three games in charge, and his hopes suffered no harm at all when the hosts broke the deadlock after just nine minutes.

The in-form Lallana threaded an inch-perfect pass around the defence to send Vardy clean through on goal, and the Leicester City man was able to smuggle the ball around Pepe Reina before going down under the challenge of the Spain goalkeeper.

Lallana stepped up to take the spot kick and made no mistake by stroking it into the top corner for his third goal in his last three appearances for England having failed to score in his opening 26 international outings.

Spain's best opening of the first half arrived 15 minutes in when Vitolo collected a cut-back on the edge of the box only to drag his shot comfortably wide of the target.

The visitors continued to see more of the ball as the half wore on, but play was often broken up by a number of fouls, with the first half seeing four yellow cards and Vardy, Reina and Raheem Sterling all escape further punishment for fouls that could have warranted reds in a competitive fixture.

England also lost Lallana to injury during the first half, but for the most part Southgate would have been happy with what he saw from his side as they limited the threat of Spain while maintaining a danger on the counter-attack.

Southgate's good mood would have got even better shortly after the restart too, as England doubled their advantage less than three minutes into the second half, with Vardy ending a 14-match goalless streak by powering a diving header from Jordan Henderson's cross past a helpless Reina.

It was almost three moments later when Theo Walcott was slipped in down the right channel, only for Reina to deny the Arsenal man with a smart stop before Henderson - captaining the side in Wayne Rooney's absence - dragged a follow-up effort wide.

Spain nearly pulled one back 10 minutes into the second half when David Silva's deflected effort was kept out by Tom Heaton - on as a half-time sub for Joe Hart - at the near post before Nathaniel Clyne prevented debutant Aspas from turning home the rebound.

There was also a debut off the bench for Manchester United's Ander Herrera, and another Spain sub was the next to threaten when Koke drilled a 25-yard strike into the arms of Heaton.

The Burnley shot-stopper then kept out Alvaro Morata as England continued to hold Spain at arm's length on their way to what looked like a 15th win from their last 16 home matches.

Southgate was able to hand a debut to Aaron Cresswell in the final 10 minutes, but it developed into a cameo to forget as Spain launched their comeback, starting with Aspas firing a fine strike in off the post with just one minute of normal time remaining.

Isco then dragged one shot wide as the visitors went in search of a quickfire second, but the Real Madrid man atoned for that miss as the clock ticked over the allotted five minutes of injury time, taking the ball down on his chest before squeezing it through the legs of Heaton from a tight angle with what proved to be the last meaningful kick of the game.

amp_article__285375 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2016-11-23 00:36:42:
html db last update - 2021-03-08 16:28:58 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .