UEFA Nations League: Spain 2-3 England - 5 takeaways from the game

Spain went into their third fixture of the UEFA Nations League group D clash at the Estadio Bennito Villamarin in Seville against England in buoyant mood, sitting top of their group on six points, courtesy victories coming in their previous two fixtures, a 6-0 drubbing of Croatia, and a 2-1 victory over the Three Lions themselves in England, as well as a 4-1 triumph over Wales in a friendly at Cardiff last week.

However, their confidence was soon dashed, as La Furia Roja found themselves behind inside just 16 minutes, when Sterling was on hand to tap home his first goal in his country’s colours in over three years, while also making him the first English player to score in Spain since Gary Lineker in 1987.

Just 13 minutes later, the Manchester City winger got his brace, as he buried home England’s second in the 22nd minute. Marcos Rashford made it 3-0 just before half-time, while in-form Borrusia Dortmund forward Paco Alcacer continued his fine run of form when he pulled one back, with captain Sergio Ramos grabbing a consolation goal for the hosts deep into stoppage time..

It was a shattering crash back to Earth for Spain, who are on a rebuilding phase after their shocking World Cup elimination, and had built momentum since former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was announced as manager, winning five out of their five fixtures since.

The defeat marked the first time Spain had ever conceded three goals at home in a competitive fixture, as well as their first loss in a competitive fixture at home since 2003, and it is a result which would leave a sour taste in the mouth of Spanish fans. Here are five takeaways from the match.

#5 Sergio Ramos is not an effective defensive leader

Sergio Ramos is widely acknowledged as one of the best defenders in the world, making it into the FIFPro XI for each of the last six editions. But beneath all the trophies won and dying minute goals scored lies the fact that Sergio Ramos is not that great a defender.

The 32-year-old has been a permanent fixture in the Madrid lineup since his 2005 switch from Sevilla, and his time at the Bernabeu has been richly rewarding in terms of trophies won particularly in the last four years since he was named captain of the side.

It is a well-known fact that Real Madrid defence is not the strongest in the world, and the backbone of their success in recent years has been the extreme potency of their attack. Los Blancos rely on their famed forwards to outscore their opponents, which has largely worked over the last few years.

As an out and out defender, Sergio Ramos is not really that great, constantly beaten in one-on-ones by strikers, and usually showing rash judgement which leads to unnecessary bookings and sending offs, but covers this up with his goals and trophies lifted.

Against England, the Spain captain continuously showed a lack of awareness by failing to pick Kane up and allowing the Tottenham man to drop deep unmarked, and it was from this position that he was able to play crucial roles in setting up England’s second and third goals.

Sergio Ramos is a veteran of highest proportions, and the man tasked with leading the Spanish backline. So making elementary errors like he did against England (which happens way too often) is rather disappointing, and is one that can’t be covered despite his consolation goal.

#4 Harry Kane is evolving into a complete player

The Tottenham number 10 has long since established himself as one of the most lethal forwards in Europe over the last few seasons. His goal ratio since breaking into the Tottenham starting eleven in 2014 has been phenomenal, and he won the EPL Golden Boot in consecutive seasons in 2016 and 2017, in addition to remarkably outscoring both Messi and Ronaldo in the 2017 calendar year.

However, despite his incredible goalscoring feats, an often hurled accusation against Kane was that he was the archetypal England centre-forward; all box finishing, and lacking in the technicality or expertise to function anywhere else on the field, hence he could not be considered a modern-day centre-forward.

However, those criticisms are wide off the mark, as a striker should primarily be judged first by his goals before anything else. In this regard, Kane passes with full marks, as the 25-year-old has them by the bucketload, possessing a knack for scoring them in all forms - outside the box screamers, poacher’s tap-in or simple nodders.

He has also shown the flexibility to adapt his style of play to suit the needs of the modern game, constantly dropping back to try and influence play, particularly with his country England where the leadership responsibility bestowed upon him sees him raise his game.

Against Spain, his more rounded play came to the fore, as he had a hand in all three of his country’s goals, combining well with Rashford for the United man to put Sterling clear. Thirteen minutes later, he turned direct provider as his inch-perfect pass found Rashford, who made no mistake in slotting past De Gea, while it was his square ball that set Sterling up for a simple tap-in.

Despite winning the World Cup Golden Boot in Russia with his six goals, Harry Kane still came under immense criticism for not being more involved. But as his more rounded play of late, particularly against Spain, it is time for the critics to shut up and recognize Kane for what he is - a premier world-class striker.

#3 Barcelona could regret letting Paco Alcacer go

After performing relatively well for Valencia in LaLiga, Barcelona shelled out €30m to get the services of Paco Alcacer in August of 2016.

However, the quality of Barcelona’s forwards meant that breaking into the first team was always going to be a tough task, hence it came as no surprise when the 25-year-old departed for Dortmund on a season-long loan.

In the Bundesliga, Alcacer has become a man reborn, scoring six goals in just three league matches, despite not starting a single game. He has scored in each of his last five straight matches.

With Barcelona’s frontline heavily reliant on Lionel Messi and the underperforming Luis Suarez to find the back of the net, goals are at a premium at Nou Camp. With the absence of alternate consistent goalscorers, the decision to let Alcacer go is one which could come back to haunt the Blaugrana.

#2 Ross Barkley is a player reborn under Sarri

Ross Barkley was one of the highest rated England prodigies when he broke into the Everton first team in 2013. Compared to Michael Ballack and Paul Gascoigne, the 24-year-old possessed a technicality on the ball which was rare for English players.

He had a stall in his career towards the end of 2016, after falling out with manager Ronald Koeman over contract extension disputes, and did not feature at all in the 2017/2018 season due to a hamstring injury, so it came as a major surprise when Chelsea paid £15m for his services in January 2018.

Not much was expected of Barkley, owing to his long spell on the sidelines, but new manager Maurizio Sarri was determined to give him a trial, and the attacking midfielder has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, making seven appearances in the league, scoring one goal and earning widespread praise for his performances in the Chelsea team.

His strong start to the season expectedly saw him earn a recall to the England squad after a long absence, and he was once more impressive in his display against Spain.

The highlight of his night was a lofted pass (which was Iniesta like in its execution) to Harry Kane from just outside the box from which the Tottenham man was able to square for Sterling to tap in England’s third.

Barkley arrived at Chelsea amidst much scorn and ridicule, but three months into Sarri’s reign, he has started turning doubters into believers.

#1 Thiago Alcantara is arguably the most underrated midfielder in the world

A product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy, Thiago Alcantara was the only player Pep Guardiola took with him when he swapped Barcelona for Bayern Munich, and one which the Catalan would also have taken to the Etihad but for a clause which expressly forbade Pep from poaching Bayern’s players.

Pep Guardiola is one of the most astute tacticians in the history of football, a dedicated student to the finer details of the game, so it says a lot about Alcantara’s abilities that Pep rates him so highly.

However, outside of his teammates and coaches, the 27-year-old doesn’t get the praise and recognition he deserves.

When it comes to pure talented displays in the middle of the field, very few come close to the Bayern man, as he possesses a technique that could rival that of the great Iniesta. Thiago's penchant for close ball control and dictating the play and tempo of a game from midfield is second to none.

Against England, at the fulcrum of their set-up was Thiago, pulling the strings from midfield and bamboozling countless English midfielders. Harry Winks received the full brunt of his trickery with an unbelievable shimmy which sent the Tottenham man back to Wembley.

More often than not, technical and graceful midfielders rarely get the accolades their immense talents deserve, as they are overshadowed by the more flamboyant and domineering goalscoring midfielders and strikers. But for true aesthetic football purists, they would always be highly regarded, and just like Guardiola, we hold Thiago Alcantara in the highest esteem.