Six minutes. That was the gap between Harry Kane’s slipped penalty at Wembley and Alex Baena firing the equaliser that started the world champions’ comeback.
England had led 2-1 through Anthony Gordon and a Kane header when Rodri was penalised for a foul on Jude Bellingham inside the area. Kane’s standing foot went from under him, the ball flicked off his non-kicking leg on the way to the bar, and the score stayed at 2-1.
“Unfortunate to slip in that moment, it happens sometimes,” Kane told reporters afterwards. “I tried to put power on it and my left foot just gave way, and obviously I ended up double-hitting the ball. That’s the life of a footballer, the life of a striker. It didn’t go my way in that second half.”
The double touch mattered beyond the miss itself. Under IFAB Law 14, a penalty in which the kicker’s non-striking foot also touches the ball is disallowed even if it beats the goalkeeper, and the defending team is awarded an indirect free-kick. Even a Kane finish would not have counted.
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“It’s a tough one to take because I work a lot on penalties and always back myself in those situations and it just wasn’t to be on the pitch out there tonight,” Kane said.
Spain’s 14-minute turnaround
Baena, on as a substitute, struck from the edge of the area in the 60th minute after a Nico O’Reilly error. Mikel Oyarzabal completed the turnaround with the winner in the 74th, and Lamine Yamal had already put Spain ahead inside two minutes before Gordon and Kane replied by the 40th.
The 39-game unbeaten run rolled on for Spain, and head coach Luis de la Fuente saw a match his side largely controlled.
“The game was under control most of the time, except for six to seven minutes, when England dominated us,” de la Fuente said.
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Tuchel points to the moment doubt could have crept in
Thomas Tuchel felt the penalty had been the decisive moment.
“I think then maybe Spain would have believed that their long run of unbeaten games ends here,” Tuchel said.
“We did everything today to beat Spain. Details matter on this level,” Tuchel said.
“We had a lot of good moments in their final third and we just lacked the killer instinct, the final pass or delivery, and they are the things we need to improve on going forward,” Kane said.
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“I think we’re close without a doubt. I think anyone who watched that game can see that.”
