New Spanish National Team Selector & Coach Luis Enrique started with the following 11:
De Gea; Carvajal, Nacho, Sergio Ramos, Marcos Alonso; Sergi Busquets, Saul, Thiago; Isco, Iago Aspas & Rodrigo Moreno.
The goalkeeper debate ended with De Gea keeping his place, while Aspas & Rodrigo surprised with their start. Correct choices by Luis Enrique as DE GEA was to be very important making 3 match saving actions & Rodrigo scoring the second & eventual winning goal.
Positive & encouraging match by Spain which dominated the 1º st half with possession Football & quick attacking incursions from the flanks. Dani Carvajal was very dangerous while midfielder SAUL was very active & causing all sorts of dangers. Said this England got ahead first in the 10th min through RASHFORD when defender Shaw made a clinical pass that broke the Spanish defense.
The good news from Spain´s point of view was their quick reaction to the situation managing to equalize in the 12th min through SAUL. From this point onwards Spain took control putting England on the back foot & making them chase the ball. Valencia CF forward RODRIGO scored from an Isco free-kick in the 31st min that would turn out to be the winner.
England did have their moments through Rashford who was their most dangerous man, but Spanish goalkeeper DE GEA made 3 saves (hand, knee & leg) that kept out Rushford & avoided the few England equalizer attempts.
Spain lost "gas" as the match went on in the 2º half & England pushed forward more looking for the equalizer. It nearly came but the offsides did not help & a disputed disallowed goal in the 96th min due to a foul on De Gea foiled England´s plans.
The moment of the night was the unintentional knock received by English defender Shaw by Dani Carvajal early in the 2º nd half that saw Shaw being attended 7 mins by the medical team & stretched off with neck brace & respiratory assistance. We believe it was precautionary & wish from here Shaw a speedy recovery.
In conclusion, good match & better start from Spain under new Coach Luis Enrique with his new players. There is still lots of work to do for Spain to better their play & secure the teams focus & concentration in the latter part of the matches where tonight they allowed the opponent to lift themselves & lose the grip of the match. England nearly managed to pull off the equalizer, thanks to their determination but also due to Spain's lack of ability to finish off the game with a third goal.
Next match for Spain will be another UEFA Nations League Group game against Croatia.
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