It was not the best day of ours and the touch of attention comes well to reduce the euphoria. Spain was beaten at Wembley but found time to recover and find their pride amid a sea of doubts. Lallana and Vardy showed the potential of the new version of La Roja, who rescued from the trunk of the memories the fury, a mark of identity in other times, to save face at Wembley. A goal from Aspas and another from Isco at the last breath made it clear that 'Spain is different'.
We promised each other very happy. As usual, we were carried away by the euphoria too soon. The relay in the bench and a good handful of parties unleashed an exorbitant illusion in this time of transition. 90 minutes at Wembley were enough to prove that neither so much nor so bald. England, the same one that threw of the Eurocopa Iceland, passed us over for 70 minutes. An England without Rooney, Kane or Dele Alli. An England with hunger and an approach that ate the one presented by Lopetegui in one of the temples of football.
It would be convenient not to resort to rotations as an excuse. It is true that the Iñigo of Spain is not the Real, that De Gea was missing or that other regulars like Jordi Alba, Koke or Morata were not on the pitch either. And, of course, there was Iniesta. With him on the field the pressure that caused us so many problems would not have been such, or at least would not have marked so much the future of the party.
Southgate's top three lineup, with Lallana first and Lingard later to close Busquets' exit, was a real martyrdom for Spain, which accumulated ball losses and inconsequential possessions while England increased their belief in their chances. In the middle of that atmosphere of confidence Vardy slipped between the two central and took the penalty to Reina. Lallana, in the eight minutes, was the first blow to the 3-5-2 with which experienced Lopetegui.
The new system lasted half an hour. Del Vitolo lateral and the central Azpilicueta went to the defense of four with the canary in his natural position and Chelsea central closing the left band. Meanwhile, England found an unexpected hole through the band of Carvajal with Sterling as a constant nuisance for the side of Madrid.
What if the '9' is in Vigo?
The scene grew sharper at the start of the second half when Vardy hungry to a cross center to the far post. The Leicester striker stole his wallet, watch and even the laces from the boot to an absentminded Iñigo Martinez. England smelled of blood and showed its fangs. Lopetegui's response was to strengthen the midfield with Koke and put company to Aduriz. Aspas debuted with the selection. He must have done it much sooner, but better late than never. He believed when no one else did. And he sent an important message in an incomparable setting. Maybe the '9' that Spain is looking for is not in London or in Madrid. Not even in Bilbao. Perhaps that finisher will take away the goals from his pockets for a season and a half in Vigo.
The Celta striker picked up a ball in three quarters of the field, started the drive and when he stepped in area decided to punish the prudence of Stones with a whiplash that destroyed the right squad and silenced Wembley. The banks were moving and there again Spain found the solution. At the last gasp, Carvajal connected with Isco, who released one of those sparks of genius that the amateur madridista and the Spanish amateur demands more regularly.
He settled the ball down from the sky and confirmed the reaction. This time it was not good football, this time touched to recover the fury. Perhaps a combination of both will make this transition lighter. Because extremes are never good, because everything is not always white or black, glory or failure, euphoria or disappointment. Spain maintains the illusion, but the road to success this time requires our patience.
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