England player ratings: key verdict after 2026 Spain clash
England’s Nations League campaign faced a setback as they were edged 3-2 by Spain at Wembley on September 26, 2026. While Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon offered bright moments, a defensive lapse...
England’s Nations League campaign faced a setback as they were edged 3-2 by Spain at Wembley on September 26, 2026. While Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon offered bright moments, a defensive lapse and a difficult night for the goalkeeping department ultimately cost England the points.
Table Of Content
Match context
The match began with a harmful error from Marc Guehi, which allowed Lamine Yamal to give Spain the lead early on. England fought back to move ahead 2-1 by the break, but Spain regrouped after half-time and reclaimed control, completing the comeback in the second half.
Match moments
England’s start was compromised by an uncharacteristic defensive error from Marc Guehi, allowing Lamine Yamal to open the scoring for Spain. The hosts responded positively and turned the game around to lead 2-1 at half-time. In the second half, James Trafford made several important saves but was unable to prevent three goals as Spain asserted control and completed the comeback.
England player ratings
Below are the players’ ratings and brief notes drawn from the match.
- James Trafford – 5.5: Started in goal ahead of Jordan Pickford. Made several saves but the three goals conceded underscored the afternoon’s difficulty.
- Marc Guehi – 5: His early error directly preceded Yamal’s opener; he improved later, but the mistake proved costly.
- Ezri Konsa – 6: A challenging night for the back line; Konsa offered resilience but had limited options against Spain’s attack.
- Jarrell Quansah – 5.5: Used in an unfamiliar right-back role; questions lingered about the selection ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
- Nico O’Reilly – 5.5: Provided the assist for Harry Kane’s goal but also made mishaps, reflecting a mixed evening.
- Elliot Anderson – 6.5: Worked hard in a competitive midfield duel and contributed defensively.
- Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6.5: Returned to the squad and showed promise in midfield after his club transition.
- Jude Bellingham – 7.5: A standout presence, delivering an assist and driving the team with his influence.
- Bukayo Saka – 6: Not at peak form, with limited dribbles and fewer clear-cut chances.
- Anthony Gordon – 7.5: Netted a well-taken goal and contributed a lively shift throughout the match.
- Harry Kane – 7: Found the net amid a scrappy finish and also saw a penalty saved after slipping.
Substitutes: Jarrad Branthwaite 6, Morgan Gibbs-White 6, Dominic Calvert-Lewin 6, James Garner 6.
Why the result matters
The defeat raises questions about England’s defensive arrangements and selection decisions. A costly early error set a challenging tone, while the back line appeared unsettled for significant periods. On the positive side, England’s attacking thrust, spearheaded by Bellingham and Gordon, offered encouraging signs. The focus will now be on trimming defensive vulnerabilities and refining the lineup ahead of the next Nations League fixtures.
What happens next
England will regroup following the loss and prepare for upcoming Nations League fixtures. The coaching staff will review defensive choices and aim to establish a starting XI capable of recovering points. Spain’s resilience underscored their depth and quality, while England seeks to translate promising attacking displays into more solid defensive performances.
For official competition information and fixtures, see UEFA’s Nations League hub.
Source: Original report
