England taught Spanish lesson as Mario and Cazorla strike

Mario: Celebrates his wonderful opener for Spain against England

Mario: Celebrates his wonderful opener for Spain against England

Two superb late strikes from Mario and Santi Cazorla ended England’s 15-match unbeaten run as Spain claimed a 2-0 friendly win at the Jose Rico Perez Stadium on Friday evening.

Roy Hodgson’s side were looking good value to claim a draw until the Villarreal right-back latched onto Cesc Fabregas’ delightful throughball to hook a volley over his shoulder and over Joe Hart into the top corner of the net in the 72nd minute.

And Spain wrapped up the win six minutes from time when Cazorla produced a fantastic low finish to past Hart at the end of a flowing move from the hosts to give Hodgson’s side – unbeaten since their 2-1 defeat to Uruguay in the 2014 World Cup – a harsh lesson in international football.

Paco Alcacer: Is watched by Ryan Bertrand

 

England, who started with Wayne Rooney on the bench, held their own for much of the first half. Ryan Bertrand and Raheem Sterling impressed down the left, but eventually Hodgson’s men crumbled under intense pressure and Spain ran out deserved winners.

Hodgson’s men had the chance to prove they were capable of going toe to toe with Europe’s best, but they came up short.

The Spanish dominated possession from the first whistle and England did not help themselves by giving the ball away regularly.

Michael Carrick, who was carried off on a stretcher late on, looked lost in midfield and Fabian Delph was wasteful too.

Their run may have been impressive, but on this evidence they have a long way to go before they can call themselves European Championship contenders.

It was clear from kick-off that Gerard Pique’s declaration he supported independence for Catalonia had not gone down well with the vast majority of Spain fans.

Every time the Barcelona defender touched the ball, whistles and boos rang out around inside the Estadio Jose Rico Perez.

That aside, the 29,500 spectators did their best to create a party atmosphere inside the open-air stadium.

They were here to see a fiesta of football and their players gave it to them.

In the first half the hosts enjoyed 68 per cent possession. Cesc Fabregas, Andres Iniesta and Thiago Alcantara hogged the ball and attempted to conjure up an opening goal.

Fabregas telegraphed a beautiful 40-yard ball over the England defence for Diego Costa, but Phil Jones recovered just in time to deny the Chelsea striker.

It looked like Pique might have given Spain the lead when his shot looped up in the air off Carrick, but the ball dropped just wide.

Fabian Delph: Runs free from Thiago Alcantara

 

Carrick, unable to keep up with the pace of play, was booked for a high tackle on the troublesome Thiago.

Luckily for England, Thiago suffered an injury and was substituted for Cazorla.

When Spain finally allowed England to have the ball, they found the best use for it down the left.

Sterling and Bertrand whipped in low crosses, but no one could finish. Harry Kane and Delph all registered shots on target, but Iker Casillas had no trouble saving them.

Hodgson brought debutant Eric Dier on for Delph while Dele Alli replaced Adam Lallana.

Even without Thiago and Andres Iniesta, who was substituted at the break, Spain had no trouble keeping the ball, and it looked inevitable they would score.

Hart saved well to deny Jordi Alba. At the other end, Kane fizzed a dipping drive just wide.

Any hopes England had of taking the lead were dashed in the 72nd minute when Fabregas chipped a ball into the box and Mario unleashed an acrobatic volley that flew past Hart. The whole ground rose to their feet and applauded.

Twelve minutes later Spain killed the game off. Cazorla was given space on the edge of the box and he took full advantage, curling the ball in off a post. Hart thought the goal should not have stood. He complained with the linesman and was booked.

He could have no complaints about the result, however. England had been soundly beaten.

 

What did you make of England’s display and the two superb Spain goals? Discuss the match below.