Spain dealt ‘reality slap’ by ruthless England
LUIS Enrique had said he was ready for the criticism and it fired from all angles after Spain were beaten by England on Monday for their first competitive defeat at home in 15 years.
Three wins out of three and 12 goals scored had launched Spain into a new era of optimism after their miserable World Cup last summer.
But La Roja were dealt a reality check, losing 3-2, as England ran riot during a whirlwind first half in Seville.
Paco Alcacer’s header, and a Sergio Ramos goal with the last touch of the game, reduced the glare of the score but there was no doubting England were deserving winners.
Raheem Sterling’s double and a smart finish from Marcus Rashford made sure of that.
“Suddenly the Spain that seemed to be afloat again in this muddled League of Nations col- lapsed with a crash and without remedy,” wrote El Pais on Tuesday. “Spain has taken a slap of reality,” said Marca.
This is the same team that looked rejuvenated after victories over England, Croatia and Wales but one defeat, and at home, has quickly altered the perspective.
“When we put six past Croatia nobody told us we gave too many passes,” midfielder Dani Ceballos said.
Harry Kane set up two of England’s goals, the second for Rashford after a brilliant piece of hold-up play left Ramos and Nacho scrambling. Kane made a strong impression.
“Kane threw overboard all the illusions of La Roja and brought into question the foundations on which Luis Enrique’s project is based,” wrote Diario Sport.
Mundo Deportivo described Kane as “masterly”, while Marca carried a poll on its website, asking: “How much would you pay for Harry Kane?” More than half answered € 150-200 million.
There was praise too for Sterling and Rashford, “the hares of Southgate”, according to AS. Contrasting England’s pace to Spain’s possession game, Mundo wrote: e “The English do not get tangled gled up. They move like rockets.” .”
The admiration of
Kane (pictured pictured AFP), in particular, cular, perhaps stems s from envy too. Diego o Costa was injured and absent bsent in Seville, but his style has never r chimed with the Spanish national team, m, while Iago Aspas, Rodrigo drigo and Alvaro Morata rata are yet to claim im the position as their own. wn.
“There is no country in Europe with so many difficulties at centre forward than Spain,” El Pais wrote. “The sudden popularity of Paco Alcacer is explained by his recent and explosive goal production, but he will hardly solve the mystery.”
In defence, Ramos’s poor start to the season continued, his p place arguably secured more by a lack of compelling alternatives alt
t h a n h i s own form. “A symbol of the disaster,” wrote AS. “He was chaotic all night.” Others laid t h e b l a me with the midfield, where Sergio Busquets was caught out of position as England tore forward for Sterling’s first goal.
Saul Niguez, so impressive in Spain’s 2-1 win at Wembley last month, was quiet.
“Busquets was making mistakes that were unusual for him,” Marca said.
“It is impossible to prove, but the first half was perhaps his wors worst in the red shirt.”
En England will hope this victory, their first against a World Cup win winner since they beat Argentina in 2002, will prove a springboa board for their young team. It did not go unnoticed across Eu Europe.
““England were ruthless,” Ita Italy’s La Gazetta wrote. “It was an unrecognisable Spain, h harmless up front, disconnecte ed with Busquets and Saul in m midfield, and disastrous at the b back.”