England secured top spot in their Nations League group after surviving a late Spanish fightback to claim a hard-fought 3-2 victory in Madrid.
Goals from Harry Kane, Ezri Konsa and Ben White had Thomas Tuchel's side cruising with a three-goal advantage. However, Elliot Anderson's red card shifted the momentum heavily in Spain's favour, setting up once again a nervy ending for the visitors.
England defended with everything they had left during the closing stages, with a crucial last-ditch intervention from White and another fine save from James Trafford helping them to withstand the late pressure. The Three Lions ultimately held on to claim an important three points.
Story of the game:
Thomas Tuchel made three changes to the side that beat Croatia on Thursday, with James Trafford replacing Jordan Pickford in goal.
Luis de la Fuente welcomed back Lamine Yamal alongside four other changes, who reported late to the training camp while recovering from a knee injury.
Spain’s return to the capital was marked by a presentation of their World Cup trophy in front of a roaring crowd at the Estadio Metropolitano in Madrid. Legends Iker Casillas, Fernando Torres and Fernando Llorente were also in attendance to recognise de la Fuente and Unai Simon for their individual accolades at last month’s Ballon d’Or awards.
Fuelled by the absences of Rodri and Dani Olmo in the heart of La Roja’s midfield, England made an aggressive start to the contest, dominating possession in dangerous areas high up the field.
Jude Bellingham almost silenced the buoyant home crowd inside the opening two minutes, finding space to meet Declan Rice’s corner. The Real Madrid midfielder managed to direct an effort towards goal, but it was excellently kept out by an outstretched Simon.
The visitors continued to pile on the pressure in the opening 10 minutes, with Anthony Gordon’s attempt blocked in the box before Harry Kane fired narrowly wide of the bottom corner.
However, Lamine Yamal’s trickery began to cause problems for England down the right flank. Declan Rice was brandished a yellow card for his first foul on the 19-year-old, angering Tuchel on the touchline.
Despite the Three Lions’ bright start, Spain gradually regained control, enjoying more of the ball as they have done throughout their Nations League campaign.
Yet it was England who drew first blood in the capital, with Kane winning a penalty after being brought down by Pau Cubarsi inside the box.
The hosts were furious, adjudging Elliot Anderson to have fouled Marc Cucurella in the build-up, but Kane made no mistake from the spot, sending the visitors into the interval with the lead.
Still furious with the decision, the players had to be separated as they made their way towards the tunnel, with Fabian, Ben White, Jude Bellingham and Martin Zubimendi among those involved in the confrontation.
Spain made three changes at the break, introducing Fermin and Pedri in an attempt to add some more creativity to their midfield.
However, it was a routine rehearsed back on the training ground at London Colney that caught the reigning world champions out for a second time.
Rice's corner found his Arsenal teammate Ezri Konsa, who had once again found himself in plenty of space inside the box and heading passionately into the back of the net.
It was a quickfire Arsenal double as England added a third to their tally.
Ben White – who had been given a difficult time from some supporters following his return to the international fold – capped off an excellent transition move, taking advantage of Spain's lacklustre marking and slotting past Simon.
Just as the England fans had worked their way through their songsheet, including branding Spain ‘Scotland in disguise’, Jarell Quansah’s hesitation in possession proved costly.
Lamine Yamal was alert to win the ball, forcing Anderson to pull him back by the shoulder and deny a clear goalscoring opportunity, and was subsequently sent off by Clement Turpin.
Mikel Oyarzabal converted the resulting penalty, reigniting the atmosphere inside the Metropolitano.
What followed was exactly what might have been expected from a Spain side that had scored four goals in the final 15 minutes across five Nations League matches.
A flurry of chances put the visitors’ backline under an immense amount of pressure. Although Trafford was able to keep out Fermin’s strike, he was powerless to prevent a lethal counter-attack finished off by Nico Williams, reducing the deficit to one goal.
Williams could have had a second moments later, potentially drawing Spain level, but a sensational last-man intervention from White stopped him in his tracks.
There were four minutes of added time, and with Merino not on the pitch, Lamine Yamal decided to step up as he looked to become Spain's hero, but Trafford produced another outstanding save to preserve England's advantage.
Several of England's players, including Gordon, Kane and Bellingham, gathered behind Tuchel on the touchline during injury time, watching nervously as Spain pushed for an equaliser. This time, the Three Lions stood their ground, holding off the late pressure to secure all three points in Madrid.
