Check out our match report and the full stats from England's 3-2 win over Spain in the Nations League.
Spain v England Report
England headed into the game with a point to prove after squandering a 2-1 lead against Spain back in September, and Thomas Tuchel's side wasted no time in taking the game to Spain.
The visitors were unlucky not to find themselves one in front in the early stages, with Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane missing huge chances to net the opener.
On the stroke of half time, Elliot Anderson played a perfectly weighted through ball to Harry Kane -- who cut inside, only to be fouled by Pau Cubarsi. The referee pointed to the spot, and after a momentary VAR review, Harry Kane converted from 12 yards in emphatic fashion.
Spain made three changes at the break, and while Luis de la Fuente was hoping for a momentum shift, it was England who came out of the blocks firing.
Arsenal duo Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa took their North London set-piece practice to the Spanish capital. The midfielder's outswinging corner was put on a plate for his Gunners teammate, who simply couldn't miss.
When it rains, it pours for the reigning Euros and World Cup champions. England hit the hosts on the break, and just as it looked like Spain had regrouped, Bellingham found the oncoming run of Ben White, who expertly fired home on his stronger right foot.
England had the game at the palm of their hands. Or did they? Jarell Quansah was caught on the ball, by Lamine Yamal, who broke through on goal, only to be hacked down by Manchester City's Elliot Anderson.
The referee awarded the penalty, dismissed Anderson, and just like Kane did in the first half, Mikel Oyarzabal found the net.
Like Quansah, Anthony Gordon was caught doing too much on the ball. While this time Spain won the ball back in a less advanced area, they broke with vigour.
Fermind Lopez freed Lamine Yamal down the right, who squared the ball across for Nico Williams to tap home.
15 minutes against the world's highest ranked nation awaited England, who were a man down. Similarly to the Argentina game in the World Cup semi-final -- where the Three Lions fell to a 2-1 defeat -- Thomas Tuchel introduced a number of defenders and his side sat in a low block for the remainder.
This time, it proved the right decision. England defended superbly in the closing stages of the game, with James Trafford producing a number of huge saves on the way to a 3-2 victory in Madrid.
As for Spain, it marks their first defeat since losing 1-0 against Colombia in a friendly on 22nd March 2024.
Spain v England Match Stats
Spain | 2-3 | England |
64% | Possession | 36% |
2.73 | xG | 2.28 |
23 | Shots | 9 |
7 | Shots on Target | 5 |
3 | Big Chances | 5 |
2 | Goalkeeper Saves | 6 |
4 | Corners | 6 |
540 | Completed Passes | 298 |
14 | Fouls Committed | 15 |
8 | Clearances | 32 |
3 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
0 | Red Cards | 1 |
