England Sizzling Attack In Spain Leaves Southgate Buzzing

SEVILLE, Spain- Gareth Southgate believes England's attack answered their critics on Monday night by scoring three goals in a whirlwind first half against Spain.

Raheem Sterling hit two either side of a clinical finish from Marcus Rashford, while Harry Kane was heavily involved too, providing a pair of excellent assists in the 3-2 victory in Seville.

Spain had never conceded three goals at home before half-time and while Paco Alcacer pulled one back, England's win was secure by the time Sergio Ramos headed in with the game's final touch.

Sterling, Rashford and Kane have all faced criticism in recent weeks. Sterling had not scored for England in three years -- 1,102 days to be exact -- while Kane's international drought now stands at seven matches.

Rashford, meanwhile, was guilty of spurning two golden chances against Croatia on Friday.

"All three of them understandably had questions asked and all three responded with real top performances," Southgate said.

"We could play off them, retain the ball. Their speed was the obvious threat but the decision-making, passing, and finishing was top quality."

The scrutiny on Sterling's performances for England has been particularly intense but Southgate had backed the 23-year-old to rediscover his scoring touch.

"It's not for me to take any credit, the only thing we did say is when he scores, he will score again and he managed to do so pretty quickly," Southgate said.

"I don't think he ever lacked confidence. Sometimes you get chances and think too much. Tonight he took the chances, he was prepared to hit the thing early."

England kept alive their hopes of finishing top of their UEFA Nations League group and this performance was their best since Southgate took charge.

Impressive result

It was perhaps even their most impressive result since thrashing Germany 5-1 in Munich in 2001.

Spain arrived on the back of three convincing wins under their new coach Luis Enrique, including one over England at Wembley, and had scored 12 goals in the process.

"They will gain huge belief from what they've done," Southgate added. "As a team, to play the way they did, this can be a great reference point for them for the future."

Away from home, and against a Spanish side in scintillating form under their new coach Enrique, this was certainly England's best win under Southgate.

Paco Alcacer, on as a substitute, headed in before the hour to spark hopes of a comeback but England were home and dry by the time Sergio Ramos scored in the 98th minute, with the last action of the match.   

It means England keep alive their hopes of finishing top of Group 4 in the UEFA Nations League, the position Spain had needed only a point to all-but-guarantee would be theirs.

It was a night for streaks ending and records tumbling. Sterling's opening goal was his first in 1,102 days for England, even more remarkable given he added his second 22 minutes later. 

The last time England won away against Spain was 1987 -- which was also when they last scored against Spain away from home, Gary Lineker on target. 

With an average age of just over 23, this was also the youngest England starting line-up in the 21st century. That will be the most exciting aspect for Southgate.

For Spain, Alcacer now has an astonishing 10 goals from his last 10 shots on target. But defeat represents something of a reality check. "Waving the flag for goals," read Marca's front page on Monday. They had scored 12 in three games since Enrique took charge. 

"Clearly it wasn't our night," he said. "We have made mistakes on an individual level and their goals were medicine for them and poison for us."

But Eric Dier set the tone early on. He left Sergio Busquets, sluggish throughout, hopping out of his first pass and then slid through Ramos, who was also out of sorts.

After a frantic start, England settled and in the 13th minute, scored. Under pressure at the back, they kept the ball until the risk was too great and Jordan Pickford drove forward to Harry Kane. 

With Spain caught upfield, he was able to turn and find Rashford, whose quick switch set Sterling free. He finished into the top corner. 

"We are staying up," sang the away support as Thiago Alcantara danced around England's midfield with flicks and tricks. But to little effect. 

Instead, Kane showed the value of a top-class centre forward for England's second. He outmuscled Ramos to win Pickford's punt downfield, outpaced Nacho to the loose ball with a superb reverse pass in behind. Rashford only had to finish. 

Spain's early confidence was gone and England added a third before the interval, which was greeted by whistles from the home fans. 

Ross Barkley's sumptuous ball over the top caught Ramos napping again and Kane squared for Sterling to tap in. "Are you Scotland in disguise?" came the taunt from the corner. 

Spain were sent out early for the second period, among them Alcacer, who replaced Saul. He scored with his first touch, heading in Marco Asensio's corner, given away after a fumble by Pickford. 

It was a nightmare few minutes for England's goalkeeper, who then dallied and was tackled by Rodrigo. 

Pickford scrambled the ball away but probably fouled Rodrigo in the process and Spain were adamant they deserved a penalty. The referee was not convinced. 

England played for time, with a handful of players going down injured, and Spain's pressure gradually eased. Rodrigo shot wide in the final 10 minutes. Asensio went even closer. 

Marcos Alonso then deflected onto the bar deep into injury time and Ramos headed home in the 98th minute. But there was not even time for a restart. England's win was complete.