World champions Spain came from behind to beat England 3-2 in a breathless Nations League contest at Wembley on Saturday, with substitute Mikel Oyarzabal settling a game that swung through five goals, a missed penalty and a stunning quarter of an hour either side of half-time.
Substitute Alex Baena was at the heart of Spain's turnaround, first drilling home an equaliser after another England mix-up at the back, before teeing up fellow replacement Mikel Oyarzabal for a delicate chip over James Trafford that ultimately proved the winning goal.
Harry Kane had earlier passed up the chance to put England out of sight, slipping as he struck a second-half penalty against the crossbar after Rodri had been penalised for fouling Jude Bellingham following a VAR review. That miss loomed large once Spain hit back.
England's lead had been built through a swift response to Spain's early setback.
Anthony Gordon finished a slick counter-attack sparked by Jude Bellingham, before Kane's header from a Nico O'Reilly cross deflected in off Marc Cucurella to make it two.
Spain had made the perfect start through Lamine Yamal, who pounced after Marc Guehi's loose touch inside his own half, raced clear and slotted past James Trafford inside two minutes to give the world champions an early lead.
Speaking afterwards, Gordon called it "a bit of a missed chance" rather than a game Spain simply deserved to win.
"It was a great game to watch and to play in, some of the attacking play was of the highest level, but mistakes cost us," he said.
Kane's header meant he reached 86 international goals in 123 caps, extending his all-time scoring record and leaving him three appearances short of Peter Shilton's mark as England's most-capped player, a landmark he will chase in next month's fixtures.
Spain remain unbeaten in 39 competitive matches and open their League A campaign with maximum points, with fixtures against Croatia home and away still to come.
England, who next travel to Prague to face Czechia, will feel they let a winnable contest slip.