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World Cup semi-finalists England began the UEFA Nations League campaign on a losing note after Saul and Rodrigo Moreno turned the tables following Marcus Rashford's early opener.
The Three Lions weren't exactly poor, but were let down by some poor finishing as so many chances went begging. La Roja however, were relatively the better side throughout and deservedly eked out a win.
Gareth Southgate still has plenty to ponder over before turning this side into one capable of going all the way at the Euros. Here are three important reasons for Spain's win over England:
#1 Spain win the midfield battle
Actually, win is just an understatement. Spain thoroughly dominated the midfield battle as the likes of Isco, Thiago and Sergio Busquets ran the show from the centre. While Busquets was the nexus between the defense and the attack, Isco and Thiago helped create chances with swift and slick passing.
They got the ball into tight areas to attract players and then laid an incisive pass to get bodies forward. Despite the likes of Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard and Jordan Henderson manning the English midfield, the disparity in quality was staggering. The Spanish midfielders were successful at some of the important things that their counterparts failed at: controlling the tempo of the game and getting the ball forward expertly.
This forced England to look to the flanks for creativity, but were once again let down. This time by profligacy.
#2 Rashford guilty of missing too many chances
The 20-year-old Manchester United star did well to put the Three Lions ahead by striking it low and beyond his club teammate David De Gea in the 10th minute. But frankly, Rashford could've ended the game with a treble. And also saved England's beacon.
Barely 20 minutes after the opener, he was presented with a chance to put the hosts ahead when he leapt highest to meet a cross, but headed straight at De Gea. Rashford then demonstrated his prodigious talent when he shimmied past a group of red shirts to race straight at goal, but his effort lacked the cutting edge to trouble the Spanish shot-stopper, who calmly collected the ball and averted danger.
That's two glorious chances wasted by England, or Rashford in particular, as a little more clinicality would've salvaged a different and positive result.
#3 England defense caught cold by Moreno
Spain's second goal was ridiculously simple, but what was more startling was England's brain-freeze during the dead-ball situation that resulted in the players then asking for an offside. Bayern Munich's Thiago whipped in a delivery inside the box just after the half-hour mark and Rodrigo sneakily escaped his markers to latch on to it and tap it home for the winner.
Firstly, the marking was very poor. Nobody tracked Moreno's run through the heart of the defense. But credit where credit is due and the Valencia hitman deserves it for clever movements. As bright a talent as Joe Gomez is, he was a mere spectator during that moment. He was also late to react to the delivery while a sliding challenge or even the slightest of touches could've deflected it for a corner or at least prevented the on-rushing Moreno from making contact.
It wasn't disastrous as spectacles like these are common in football, but for a team aiming for the stars, such things should be perfected.
