Spain Beat England, Shaw Doing Well After Near-Fatal Injury

By Joshua Walters, Nigel Philips 

England were put in a reality check Saturday night with a 2-1 defeat to Spain at the Wembley Stadium in the UEFA Nations League, and there was a major concern for the Three Lions as Luke Shaw was stretched off with a bad injury.

The Manchester United player went into an aerial challenge with Dani Carvajal in the 52nd and landed badly, triggering immediate concern from all players on the pitch.

Shaw was treated for ten minutes on the field by doctors and subsequently stretched off in a neck brace while being administered oxygen.

Shaw just began picking the pieces after recovering from a career-threatening foot injury last year, but concerns of any fatality on Saturday night's injury was quenched just after full time when it was announced that the player 'talking and walking' inside the dugout.

Shaw later tweeted saying: "Thank you for all the love and support I am doing fine and am in the best hands. I’m a fighter so I will be back soon!"

The English Football Association also announced on its tweeter handle: "Luke is awake and alert, having been assessed by our doctor and given an X-ray.”

Spain had a torrid World Cup this summer as they were booted on penalties against hosts Russia in the 1/16th stage.

England, on the other hand, left Russia rejuvenated after making the semi-finals, making Saturday's UEFA Nations League a tale between a side looking to confirm their new higher heights and a sleeping giant seeking an awakening.

It was Luis Enrique's first game as Spain's coach, and against Gareth Southgate, who is the brain behind England's newly found liberation.

The coaches fielded strong sides, and Marcus Rashford connecting Luke Shaw's near perfect cross, but Saul Niguez soon leveled up for the hosts by smashing home a first-time shot from Rodrigo's cross to make it 1-1.

Rodrigo then put the visitors ahead in the 32nd minute by flicking in Thiago's free-kick from close range to beat a helpless Jordan Pickford in goal for England.

Manchester United left-back, Luke Shaw, re-launched his England career on the night after a long lay off, partly due to a career-threatening injury and loss of form.

But, disaster struck for Shaw when he fell down after colliding with Dani Carvajal. The defender was treated for five minutes on the field before he was stretched off with oxygen on him.

Danny Rose replaced Shaw at left-back as the tempo of the match slowed immediately.

The game, however, opened up in the dying embers, as Rashford shot right at De Gea after being found in the penalty box with an incisive pass from Harry Kane.

The Three Lions World Cup revelation Harry Maguire headed Kieran Trippier's corner kick wide in the 86th minute as Gareth Southgate's side pressed for the elusive equaliser.

Nine minutes added time was given following the delay for Shaw's injury and substitute Danny Welbeck looked to have scored the equaliser from close range but was harshly whistled for a foul on De Gea as he jumped for a loose ball in front of his net.

Spain now top the UEFA Nations League Group 4 as World Cup finalist, Croatia, who are the other country in the group, are yet to play their opener.