Ref denies England late equaliser as Spain win at Wembley

England were controversially denied a last-gasp equaliser as Spain won 2-1 at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League.

Referee Danny Makkelie ruled out Danny Welbeck's goal in the seventh of nine minutes of stoppage time for a foul by the England sub. The extra-long injury time resulted from a worrying head injury to Luke Shaw, who was carried off after appearing to be knocked unconscious by an accidental collision with Dani Carvajal early in the second half.

The hosts opened the scoring on the break when Shaw dashed from his own box to deliver a superb ball to the feet of Marcus Rashford in the penalty area. The Manchester United defender, making his first start for England since September 2015, impressed in the left wingback role before his untimely exit.

The Three Lions’ lead lasted less then two minutes, when Carvajal broke down the right channel to pick out Rodrigo in the area. The Valencia man wrong-footed Harry Maguire before passing to Saul Niguez, who slotted low past Jordan Pickford.

La Roja took a deserved lead just past the half-hour mark. Thiago Alcantara’s free kick from the left of the area was tapped in by Rodrigo for his third international goal. The Valencia man dashed past Joe Gomez to reach the ball, while his colleagues were played onside by Harry Maguire. Sloppy set piece defending from the hosts.

Rashford, making his first start for club and country since the opening day of the season, almost doubled his tally with a header from a corner shortly before the break, but was denied by a magnificent save from David De Gea.

Spain completely dominated the second half, allowing England little possession in their defensive third. Yet Rashford was given another opportunity to get on the scoresheet with around 10 minutes on the clock when Kane put him clear through on goal, but his shot was aimed directly at his clubmate De Gea.

The Three Lions looked to have found the equaliser deep in injury time when De Gea dropped the ball under pressure from substitute Welbeck, who reacted quickly to turn it into the net. However, the referee controversially awarded it as a foul on the goalkeeper.

The win put Spain atop League A, Group 4 ahead of their clash with Croatia on Tuesday. England will next be in action in the competition on 12th October, also against Croatia.

Southgate’s England made it to the final four of the World Cup via a fortuitous path, but have come unstuck when facing heavyweight opposition. Although they showed good technical ability and impressive play on the break, they were ultimately outclassed by Spain throughout this match. The manager has more work to do before this group can be placed among the elite.

Dani Carvajal and Rodrigo both represented themselves brilliantly, but Saul was quite superb in transition and was a constant threat on goal.

England: Pickford 6, Trippier 7, Maguire 7, Stones 7, Gomez 6, Shaw 7, Henderson 5, Alli 5, Lingard 6, Rashford 6, Kane 6... Subs: Rose 6, Dier 6, Welbeck 6

Spain: De Gea 7, Carvajal 7, Nacho 7, Ramos 6, Alonso 7, Busquets 7, Saúl 8, Thiago 7, Isco 7, Aspas 7, Rodrigo 8... Subs: Asensio 6, Roberto 6, Martinez 6

11' - GOAL! Marcus Rashford scores on the break! Luke Shaw delivers a sublime through ball on the floor and Rashford converts with his first touch!

13' - GOAL! Carvajal breaks down the right and picks out Rodrigo, who wrong-foots Maguire to pick out Saul - he slots home with a one-touch finish!

32' - GOAL! Thiago delivers a free kick from the left and Rodrigo dashes past Gomez, timing his run perfectly to slot the ball in.

47' - Carvajal collides with Shaw and the England fullback has come off much worse. This doesn't look good ... The stretcher is out. This is a sad situation for a player whose career has been blighted by injury. The camera cuts to Mourinho, who is texting.

90+7' - GOAL! ACTUALLY, NO GOAL! Welbeck thinks he's scored, but after a pause, the substitute is penalised for a foul on the goalkeeper.

This is the first time England have conceded more than once in the first half of a game since June 2017.

Marcus Rashford has scored in four of his six home starts for his country.

Rodrigo has been involved in four goals (three goals and an assist) in five Spanish starts.