England withstood a Spain fightback after Elliot Anderson’s red card to secure a famous 3-2 victory and finish above the world champions at the top of their Nations League group.
Thomas Tuchel’s side were sensational for an hour in Madrid, taking the lead when Harry Kane scored a penalty at the end of the first half and then adding quickfire goals from Ezri Konsa and Ben White.
But a one-sided game was turned on its head when Elliot Anderson was sent off for a last-man foul on Lamine Yamal following Jarell Quansah’s error, allowing Mikel Oyarzabal to score from the spot.
Spain reduced the deficit to one goal when substitute Nico Williams converted Lamine Yamal’s cross after Anthony Gordon had been dispossessed, but England clung on thanks to James Trafford.
Bellingham and Kane celebrate England’s win over Spain
The goalkeeper, selected ahead of Jordan Pickford, made a string of saves as Spain peppered the England goal, including a stunning double stop when he denied Fermin Lopez then somehow pushed Oyarzabal’s follow-up around the post at full stretch.
His heroics, in addition to a vital last-man challenge by White on Williams, allowed the Three Lions to end Spain’s 43-game unbeaten run with a historic victory which ensures they will be seeded in the Nations League quarter-final draw.
Harry Kane was fouled by Pau Cubarsi for England’s penalty
Kane dispatched the penalty for his 93rd England goal
It appeared certain to be a more emphatic victory when White drilled the third goal through the legs of Unai Simon after Konsa had headed in Declan Rice’s corner for the second. Spain had not even registered a shot on target at that point.
But Anderson’s red card, after Quansah was caught on the ball by Lamine Yamal, reinvigorated Spain and meant England had to show the qualities demonstrated in their World Cup win over Mexico, showing steel and defending their box valiantly.
Tuchel: It was like the Azteca reloaded
England manager Thomas Tuchel to ITV:
“We got it [the statement win]. We got it deservedly. That’s even more important. We were focused on our performance and our attitude, that’s what we did. I cannot praise the team high enough.”
On whether he had flashbacks to the Argentina defeat: “For me, the red card was more like the Azteca reloaded.
“Against this team, half an hour feels like two hours. Full of quality. You can see the second goal coming and it’s a long, long time to overcome it. That’s the way it is.
“We showed that without the red card, we had a clear win.”
Rice: We knew we were going to beat them
England midfielder Declan Rice to ITV:
“We knew we could beat them. We knew we were going to beat them today.
“The message from the manager after the Croatia game was so positive. The message from the boys, everyone pushing together, knowing that we’re going to come here and not sit back and hit them on the counter.
“We knew from the first minute – our first 10 minutes was probably the best we’ve played in a 10-minute spell. Pressure, pressure, pressure, we could have had two or three.
“The red card changes the course of the game as it could have been a couple more goals if I’m being honest.”
What’s next for England?
England find out who they will face in the Nations League quarter-finals when the draw takes place on Friday November 20 at 11am.
The two-legged ties are scheduled for the March international break, with the first legs to be played between March 25 and 27 and the second legs between March 28 and 30.
