Archive photograph: Spain celebrate their World Cup win on 19 July 2026. Photo: Bryan Berlin / WikiPortraits, CC BY-SA 4.0. Display sizing only; not tonight's match.
England have won every game since Spain beat them at Wembley. Now comes the test that will tell Thomas Tuchel rather more than another comfortable victory: a return meeting with the world and European champions in Madrid.
The Nations League group finale kicks off at 19:45 GMT on Sunday at the Metropolitano Stadium. England are already through to the quarter-finals, but September's 3–2 defeat gives this evening a sharper edge than a routine final group game.
Four wins have changed the mood
England's response to Wembley has been emphatic. They won 2–0 in Czechia and 7–0 in Croatia, then beat those opponents 3–0 and 2–1 at home. That is 14 goals scored and just one conceded across four victories.
Thursday's narrower win over Croatia offered a different sort of preparation from the seven-goal away performance. England still found a way through, and Harry Kane took his Nations League tally to seven goals on the night he became the men's team's most-capped player.
Those wins have restored momentum. Beating the side responsible for their only defeat in the group would give that recovery a much more convincing finish.
Spain have not let up
Luis de la Fuente's side arrive with five wins from five in this competition. After Wembley, they beat Croatia 4–1, Czechia 3–1 and Croatia again, 2–1, before Thursday's 2–0 away win over the Czechs.
Spain have scored at least twice in every group match. England's improved defensive record therefore meets a much harder examination than the results alone might suggest: the hosts have already shown they can score three against them.
Álex Baena has contributed two goals and two assists across the five games. Spain's threat is not limited to one headline name, and England cannot build their evening solely around keeping one forward quiet.
A proper test for Trafford
Tuchel confirmed on Saturday that James Trafford will play in goal. The manager also said Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence are available again after missing the Croatia win.
There is more to learn here than the result alone will show. Trafford gets an opportunity against elite opposition, while the team can measure how far it has moved on since Wembley. England do not need to rescue their campaign. They need to show that four wins have prepared them for its toughest away assignment.
Follow the Spain–England match centre for the score and updates, or browse the full football schedule.
Sources: match results, Tuchel's pre-match comments and UEFA's matchday guide.
