England condemned Spain to their first competitive home defeat in 15 years after a vibrant display in Seville which saw Raheem Sterling bag a brace.
Sterling has struggled with the Three Lions recently but on Monday night, the Man City winger was at his potent best, opening the scoring on 16 minutes after a swift counter-attack started by Jordan Pickford.
The visitors were a constant threat on the break and just before the half-hour mark, Harry Kane set up Marcus Rashford to make it 2-0, after some feeble Spanish defending.
The hosts were stunned and struggled to deal with the effervescent English, who would score again before the break, with Sterling netting his second of the game after a superb ball from Ross Barkley found Harry Kane in the box.
After the break, Luis Enrique’s side rallied and were lucky not to be awarded a penalty when Pickford pulled back Marco Asensio in the box, a challenge which could also have seen the Everton ‘keeper sent off.
🇪🇸 Not sure why #Spain were complaining about #England keeper Jordan Pickford’s tackle… 🤔
🤣 #ESPENG #ThreeLions #Fanbantr pic.twitter.com/sZSWwgyIob
— Fanbantr (@fanbantr) October 15, 2018
However, Spain did get themselves back into the game just before the hour-mark, with in-form Borussia Dortmund striker Paco Alcacer glancing home from a corner.
England struggled to create much in the second-half, and conceded again in injury-time, with Sergio Ramos netting via a fine header.
However, Gareth Southgate’s side would hold on to secure a fantastic victory, becoming the first side to score three goals in a competitive game away to Spain.
3 – Spain have conceded three goals in a competitive home game for the first time ever. Confusion. pic.twitter.com/CnoWN9AvoL
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 15, 2018
As for two-goal hero Sterling, his match-winning performance will hopefully kickstart his international career.
Despite the defeat, Spain stay top of Group A4, courtesy of their two victories, with England two points back in second.
(Table: BBC)