Goal for Rashford, concern for Shaw
Four Manchester United players were involved in an incident-packed match at Wembley, where the ecstasy of Marcus Rashford scoring for England later gave way to the agony of seeing Luke Shaw suffer a head injury in his first international match since March 2017.
Shaw collided with Spain defender Dani Carvajal and then banged his head against the turf in the opening moments of the second half and after being surrounded by medical staff on the pitch for several minutes, he was carried off on a stretcher.
Encouragingly, it was later reported that the left-back was conscious and moving around after being treated by doctors at the stadium when a hospital visit might have seemed likely earlier in the worrying proceedings.
In fact, Shaw tweeted an hour or so after the match to reassure worried fans.
In fact, Shaw tweeted an hour or so after the match to reassure worried fans.
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! ❤💪🏼
— Luke Shaw (@LukeShaw23) September 8, 2018
The abrupt end to the game was a cruel blow for the unlucky United left-back, who had continued his excellent start to the season by charging forward in the 11th minute and bending a sublime pass into Rashford's path for the striker to finish first time past another club colleague, David De Gea.
The lead only lasted for two minutes, however, with Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez firing home from Thiago Alcantara's pull-back.
The lead only lasted for two minutes, however, with Atletico Madrid's Saul Niguez firing home from Thiago Alcantara's pull-back.
Thiago also assisted the visitors' second goal, scored by Rodrigo in the 32nd minute, and it proved to be decisive as De Gea made several decent saves to thwart Rashford and his cohorts and secure a 2-1 win for Spain.
The best of the goalkeeper's interventions was an instinctive stop to keep out the United striker's firm first-half header from a Jesse Lingard cross.
The best of the goalkeeper's interventions was an instinctive stop to keep out the United striker's firm first-half header from a Jesse Lingard cross.
Lingard, Rashford and De Gea all played the full 90 minutes of the UEFA Nations League match, which United manager Jose Mourinho watched with great interest from the stands.
Back to Top