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England squander 2-goal lead to be held by Spain

England have been held to a 2-2 draw by Spain in an international friendly at Wembley.

Gareth Southgate's Three Lions led by two goals early in the second half after Adam Lallana and Jamie Vardy had found the back of the net but were unable to hold onto their advantage.

Julen Lopetegui's La Furia Roja pulled one back late through Iago Aspas before Isco landed a last-gasp equaliser to deny the home side an impressive victory.

The opening goal came inside 10 minutes when Leicester City's Vardy took a touch in the area before he was brought down by Pepe Reina, allowing Liverpool attacker Lallana to step up and convert from the spot.

Unfortunately for both England and Liverpool, Lallana limped off the pitch soon after, replaced by Theo Walcott.

Spain had a great chance to respond on 15 minutes but Vitolo dragged his effort wide before England missed their opportunity to go 2-0 up when Jesse Lingard and Raheem Sterling combined with the final pass just inches in front of Vardy who was in a dangerous position.

It took Southgate's side just three minutes of the second half to add another goal and it came in the form of Vardy's first goal since September 10 and first for his country since his close range finish against Wales at Euro2016.

Captain Jordan Henderson provided the back-post cross for Vardy who rifled a header beyond Napoli keeper Reina, prompting a 'mannequin challenge' celebration from the English.

Two minutes later, Vardy teed up Walcott but the Arsenal man's effort was struck directly at a grateful Reina.

It looked as though the English team would come away with a strong win only to concede in the 89th minute, for the first time under Southgate.

Former Liverpool flop Aspas, enjoying some fine form at Celta Vigo, on his international debut for Spain drove into the area and used some trickery to deceive John Stones before curling a lovely effort in off Tom Heaton's far post.

Then disaster struck in the sixth minute off injury-time when Real Madrid's Isco beautifully controlled a long pass from Koke before slipping through the legs of Heaton from an angle.

In the end it was a disappointing finish to what could have been a much better audition for the permanent England job for Southgate but the fact his side had Spain on the ropes at one point suggests the FA will more than likely stick with him after a four-game temporary spell.

International friendly

England: 2 (Adam Lallana (PEN) 9', Jamie Vardy 48')
Spain: 2 (Iago Aspas 89', Isco 90+6')
Wembley Stadium, London, England

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Andrew Slevison
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