Spain 2-3 England player ratings: Sterling was simply brilliant

  /  autty

England ran riot with three first-half goals, including two from Raheem Sterling, to stun Spain and earn a away win in the Nations League on Monday night.

Sterling gave England the lead against the run of play in the 16th minute by finishing off a swift counter-attack and Marcus Rashford fired into the top corner for the second on the half-hour after a superb pass from captain Harry Kane.

Sterling, who had not got an England goal for three years, struck again from another Kane assist to give Gareth Southgate's side a big half-time lead.

Spain, who had scored 12 goals in their last three games and beat England 2-1 last month, hit back with a header by substitute Paco Alcacer and an injury-time goal by Sergio Ramos.

Here, Sportsmail runs the rule over the players and gives out ratings following a quite extraordinary game...

SPAIN (4-3-3)

David De Gea - 5

A night he'll want to forget as England smashed three past him inside 38 minutes.

Jonny - 5.5

The Wolves defender, on his full debut, started brightly but was left horribly exposed by Rashford. Booked.

Nacho - 5

Cruised through the game before England's super show. Looked shell-shocked at half-time.

Sergio Ramos - 6

Vowed to keep England's attack quiet but failed miserably. Scored with final kick. Booked.

Marcos Alonso - 5.5

Solid enough down the left, but didn't offer his team much gusto in the final third.

Thiago Alcantara - 8

England's midfield couldn't get near him at times. Will be scratching his head this morning.

Sergio Busquets - 7.5

Poetry in motion. Effortlessly keeps possession in the tightest of spots.

Saul Niguez - 6.5

A classy footballer but the Atletico Madrid midfielder was unusually wasteful in possession on occasion.

Iago Aspas - 6

The former Liverpool was well shackled by England's defence. You expect more from a Spain regular.

Rodrigo - 5.5

Struggled to get any change out of England's defence on a frustrating night for the Valencia forward.

Marco Asensio - 6.5

Not hard to see why he's tipped to be Real Madrid's next Golden Boy, but England minimised his threat.

Subs

Paco Alcacer (Niguez 57) - 7

What an impact from the striker. Scored with his first touch.

Dani Ceballos (Aspas 57) - 6

Looked at ease in possession as Spain piled on the pressure. Booked.

Alvaro Morata (Rodrigo 73) - 6

Thrown on in desperation as Spain looked for goals.

Subs not used

Kepa, Pau Lopez, Albiol, Koke, Suso, Azplicueta, Rodri, Gaya, Bartra.

Luis Enrique - 6.5

His side looked comfortable before England tore up the script.

ENGLAND (4-3-3)

Jordan Pickford - 7

Utterly brilliant in the first half, entirely suspect in the second.

Kieran Trippier - 7

An early mistake let Asensio in, but soon settled to produce a solid display.

Joe Gomez - 7.5

Looked to be unnerved by the occasion early on but grew in stature with every passing minute.

Harry Maguire - 8

England's senior central-defender for the night coped with everything thrown at him. Booked.

Ben Chilwell - 7.5

Dealt superbly with Aspas' threat. Entirely at home on the international stage.

Ross Barkley - 7.5

Exquisite pass in build up to England's third. A solid contribution from the Chelsea star.

Eric Dier - 8

Helped England steady the ship after England's uncomfortable opening. A calm head in the heat of battle. Booked.

Harry Winks - 8

Oozed confidence in possession and showed discipline. Plays football the way it should be played. Booked.

Raheem Sterling - 8.5

What do they say about London buses? Ended his goal drought in emphatic fashion. Brilliant. 8.5

Harry Kane - 8

His England goal drought extends to seven but was hugely influential with two assists.

Marcus Rashford - 8

The night the Manchester United star came of age at this level. A goal and assist. 8

Subs

Kyle Walker (Barkley 76) - Slotted straight into a back five as England shut up shop.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (Trippier 85) - Shored up the defence for the closing stages.

Nathaniel Chalobah (Winks 90) - On for his England debut.

Subs not used

Butland, Bettinelli, Dunk, Mount, Maddison, Sancho

Gareth Southgate - 8

Got his tactics spot on. His status as a national hero keeps rising. Sir Gareth?

Man of the Match: Sterling

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