England’s proof of progress and the lessons learned by head coach Thomas Tuchel since the disappointment of World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina will be put to the sternest test when they face holders Spain in Madrid.
Spain present the toughest assignment England could face, with the world champions’ unbeaten run – in which they claimed the sport’s biggest prize by beating Argentina in New Jersey in the summer – now stretching to 43 games.
Luis de la Fuente’s side last lost – to Colombia – in March 2024, winning 34 games and drawing nine in the intervening period, during which they also became European champions, beating England in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.
Little wonder, then, that England captain and Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane describes Sunday night’s visit to the Metropolitano Stadium as: “The perfect opportunity to try and prove ourselves.”
Tuchel, who revealed Leeds United’s James Trafford will get another opportunity in goal as he continues to alternate with Jordan Pickford, clearly feels the same as he added: “This will be proof of concept on the highest level. It’s the biggest test in world football. Spain are unbelievable on an incredible run.
“Spain won the last big titles. We are trying to take it away from them. We are up for it. We are in a good moment to push our limits. We are up for something spectacular.”
It was a message echoed here in Madrid by England midfielder Declan Rice, who said: “It’s a massive game.
“I don’t think you can get much bigger than a Champions League final with Arsenal or a World Cup semi-final against Argentina, which I’ve played in, but when you are playing against the world champions in Spain there is no greater incentive.
“It’s the sort of game that brings out the best in us. We want to play against the best teams and the best players. It will show where we are as a group. We’re going to see where England are at.”
Spain are particularly formidable on home soil, unbeaten in 20 games – winning 15 and drawing five – since a 2-1 defeat by Switzerland in September 2022.
England’s most recent win in Spain was a 3-2 triumph in a Nations League encounter in Sevilla in October 2018, their first away victory against them for 31 years.
Yet England came closer than most to piercing Spain’s air of invincibility, even though they lost 3-2 at Wembley in September, when a rare Kane blemish from the penalty spot prevented them taking a potentially decisive 3-1 lead.
Spain subsequently punished England and Kane, who will be hoping for better fortunes when the countries meet again in the latest Nations League encounter.
England arrived in Madrid on Saturday evening having reeled off four successive victories since that Wembley loss, the latest of which was a 2-1 win against Croatia at Wembley on Thursday.
Spain will present an altogether different opposition, but also a barometer of whether England have moved forward since the World Cup, when Tuchel was heavily criticised for what was perceived to be a negative approach in the 2-1 loss to Argentina in Atlanta, especially after Anthony Gordon put England ahead.
Leave a Reply