England vs Spain: Yamal sends Ballon d'Or message as Kane miss proves costly

One of the subplots ahead of kickoff was Lamine Yamal vs Harry Kane; two superstars vying for the Ballon d'Or, and it was the Barcelona man who struck first.

Marc Guehi gifted Spain the lead inside two minutes after failing to spot Yamal closing him down, and the teenage sensation clinically finished past James Trafford.

Ferran Torres later doubled the visitors’ advantage, though England responded impressively before half-time.

A slick counter involving Jude Bellingham and Anthony Gordon allowed the Newcastle winger to equalise, before Kane’s stooping header deflected in off Marc Cucurella to give Thomas Tuchel’s side a surprise 2-1 lead at the break.

England remained on the front foot after the interval and were awarded a penalty when Rodri fouled Bellingham.

However, Kane slipped as he struck the spot-kick, which cannoned off the crossbar. Momentum swung back to Spain, and substitute Alex Baena levelled shortly afterwards.

Mikel Oyarzabal, who came on for the wasteful Ferran Torres, received a fine pass in the area and clipped a fine finish over Trafford to secure the victory for Luis de la Fuente’s side.