UEFA EURO 2012 England 1 - 0 Spain

Lampard heads England to victory against Spain


England 1-0 Spain

Frank Lampard, England captain for the night, headed the only goal to condemn the world and European champions to a rare defeat.

Captain Frank Lampard's second-half header was enough to earn England victory against world and European champions Spain in a friendly at Wembley.

Lampard, skippering his country in the absence of Chelsea FC club-mate John Terry, stooped to head in one of the simplest goals of his career on 49 minutes. As was expected considering their recent pedigree, Spain, perfect throughout UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying, often offered the greater poise on the ball. They predictably pressed for an equaliser, Cesc Fàbregas spurning their clearest opening, but England stood firm.

Though Lampard's long-range shot was all that Iker Casillas – winning his 126th cap to equal Andoni Zubizarreta's national record – could warm his palms with throughout the opening period, England's Joe Hart was no more frequently employed. Sergio Busquets had the best opening prior to the interval, flicking Xabi Alonso's cross over from close range.

Vicente del Bosque made three half-time substitutions but for one, Pepe Reina, the first task was to pick the ball out of his net, Lampard nodding in the rebound from less than a metre out after Darren Bent had headed James Milner's free-kick against a post.

David Villa nearly delivered a swift riposte but, having rounded Hart, shot into the side netting. The FC Barcelona man went closer still on 73 minutes, showing superb technique to control on his chest and shoot from the edge of the penalty area; Hart was again beaten but this time the woodwork came to his rescue.

Though Spain kept coming, England, through a mix of defiance and good fortune, most notably when Fàbregas side-footed wide late on, held on for a victory few would have forecast.

England: Hart, G Johnson, Lescott, Jagielka, Cole, Walcott (Downing 46), Jones (Rodwell 56), Parker (Walker 85), Milner (A Johnson 76), Lampard (Barry 56), Bent (Welbeck 64).

Spain: Casillas (Reina 46), Arbeloa, Piqué, Ramos (Puyol 74), Jordi Alba, Busquets (Torres 64), Alonso, Xavi (Fàbregas 46), Iniesta (Cazorla 74), Silva (Mata 46), Villa.