Zidane list for United
invited Shaw to gallop forward. The full-back then guided a stunning low cross into the path of Rashford as he ghosted in behind Ramos to produce a finish that gave De Gea no chance.
The watching Jose Mourinho would have approved.
It took Spain just 90 seconds to land a blow to restore parity.
This time, Shaw was at fault, jumping into a rash challenge on Carvajal, before Rodrigo escaped to pull a low cross back into the heart of England’s box for Niguez to ram a low finish beyond Jordan Pickford.
Spain, with Ramos relishing the grief he was being given by the Wembley fans, passed and probed.
But England still carried a threat. And Kane thought he was about to restore his side’s lead on 23 minutes when Spain’s offside trap broke down and Maguire headed Trippier’s freekick invitingly into his path 10 yards out. The England skipper was just cocking the trigger of his right boot when Carvajal got back to nudge the ball to safety.
Southgate would have been frustrated when the visitors exposed another lapse in concentration to go ahead in the 32nd minute.
Kane failed to track Rodrigo when Thiago sent a low free-kick in from the left and Gomez could not react quickly enough to prevent the Valencia forward to steal in at the near post to score.
England should have been level immediately when a short corner was worked back to Jesse Lingard and his cross seemed perfect for Rashford as he leapt six yards from goal.
But the England striker went for power instead of precision and De Gea was able to pull off a trademark save when a downward header would have surely given him no hope.
Shaw’s evening ended when he ran blindly into the shoulder of Carvajal and seemed to lose consciousness before hitting the turf with a crash. He did appear to come round on the stretcher and was given gas and air.
England should have claimed a share of the spoils 10 minutes from time when Rashford burst clear only to fire his shot too close to De Gea.
Then late sub Danny Welbeck had the ball in the net deep into stoppage time – the goal disallowed for a foul on De Gea.
Southgate appeared to mouth a crude assessment of that decision. Hard to blame him.