'Lazy' midfield, 'suicidal' defence, Spain stung by England loss

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 England's Raheem Sterling celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

BARCELONA (Reuters) - Spain's 3-2 defeat to England in the Nations League on Monday not only burst the bubble of optimism surrounding new coach Luis Enrique, it also dredged up unpleasant memories of their woeful World Cup campaign in Russia.

England raced to a 3-0 lead and the hosts were booed off at the break in Seville. Spain fought back in the second half with two goals but it was not enough to prevent Luis Enrique suffering his first defeat since taking over in July.

The coach's arrival had lifted the gloom after Spain's disastrous showing at the World Cup, where they were knocked out by the unfancied hosts in the last 16.

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 England's Raheem Sterling in action with Spain's Jonny Castro Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

"The doubts that seemed buried after the horrors of Russia are back," said daily newspaper Marca on Tuesday.

"They took a whack from reality that sent them back three months."

Newspaper AS said Spain should have had a penalty but delivered a harsh assessment of the side's performance, saying "the midfield was lazy and the defence was too high up and suicidal".

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 England's Kieran Trippier in action with Spain's Sergio Busquets REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo

Centre back Sergio Ramos scored Spain's second goal in stoppage time but he was criticised by the media.

"There's a Madrid fan in the office who says he needs just one minute of a game to know which version of Sergio Ramos is playing," wrote Juan Carlos Diaz in Marca.

"When he plays in Seville (his birthplace) he practically always shows off ... he subtracts more than he contributes.

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 England's Raheem Sterling scores their third goal past Spain's David De Gea Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

"It seems that in his brain he only hears one sentence. 'You are the best Sergio, the best.' It might be too late now but maybe people shouldn't say it so much."

La Liga President Javier Tebas said Spain's fans also let the country down after some of them booed the English national anthem.

"National anthems represent the noblest and most profound feelings of many people. They must always be respected," he said on Twitter.

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 Spain's Nacho in action with England's Marcus Rashford REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo

"We have to apologise to the English and make that what happened yesterday doesn't happen again."

(Reporting by Rik Sharma; Editing by Peter Rutherford)

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 Spain's Sergio Ramos scores their second goal past England's Jordan Pickford REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 England's Harry Maguire salutes their fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 England's Jordan Pickford challenges Spain's Rodrigo in the penalty area Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 England's Raheem Sterling celebrates with team mates after scoring their third goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 Spain's Paco Alcacer scores their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 England's Harry Kane in action REUTERS/Marcelo Del Pozo

Soccer Football - UEFA Nations League - League A - Group 4 - Spain v England - Estadio Benito Villamarin, Seville, Spain - October 15, 2018 England manager Gareth Southgate applauds their fans after the match Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine