After England beat Spain in their own back yard in a statement result, we look at the main talking points from a memorable moment in Madrid…
Bold England show their strengths with front-foot approach
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England’s football DNA has been in focus this autumn. In Madrid, we saw the English style at its best. From the first whistle, England were boldly on the front foot, overwhelming Spain with pace, power and directness.
They snapped into tackles and gave short shrift to their opponents when they called for fouls. It was physical, it was aggressive. It was certainly not England trying to replicate the Spanish style.
The set-piece routine for the second goal was a reflection of how those phases have risen in importance in the Premier League and fittingly saw two Arsenal players combine to score it. Then, when down to 10 men, there was fight, heart and commitment to get over the line.
Roy Keane called England’s performance “perfect” at half-time. The errors from Jarell Quansah, Elliot Anderson and Anthony Gordon meant it certainly couldn’t be called that in the end. But England’s attitude and approach outweighed their mistakes. This is football England fans will get behind.
Peter Smith
Tuchel has learned from the Argentina game
Tuchel was more measured in his substitutions
Tuchel didn’t want to be drawn too much on comparisons between this win and the World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina.
He signalled a few times that the main takeaways about his team should come in the first 65 minutes before the red card – and even said the dogged defensive display was more like the last 16 win over Mexico. “The Azteca reloaded,” he said.
But the England manager has clearly learned his lessons from the Argentina heartbreak. This was a very different approach to hanging on.
There was no back five this time. Not for a single second, even with the man disadvantage. It was so different to the World Cup. Against Argentina, he went to a back five on 72 minutes. Against Mexico, it was Dan Burn time on 75 minutes.
But Elliot Anderson’s red card prompted no panic from the England bench. Anderson’s hole was replaced by Jude Bellingham, who shifted back from the No 10 role. The first sub came with 10 minutes to go. Burn was only introduced on 89 minutes, but only for another defender.
There was trust from the England manager that his team could hold off the best team in the world in a back four defensive shape. That confidence led to a composed challenge, whereas against Argentina, there wasn’t that faith.
And as a result, England fans have more faith in Tuchel.
Sam Blitz
Kane shows his Ballon d’Or class
Kane did brilliantly to win the penalty that he eventually converted
‘Harry Kane, he’s the best in the world’ sang the England supporters about their Ballon d’Or winner, goading their Spanish hosts and a certain Lamine Yamal who finished in third place for the coveted prize.
In the build-up to this game, Spain player after Spain player came out to say their team-mate should have won it instead of Kane. But England’s captain showed his brilliance where it mattered – on the pitch.
He won and coolly converted the penalty for the opening goal. Nerves of steel after crucially missing from the spot against the same opponents in September. He helped orchestrate the third goal, too, which was just one example of his many connections with Jude Bellingham.
England’s record scorer and record appearance-maker is at the peak of his powers right now.
Peter Smith
Hall stars in battle with Lamine Yamal
Lewis Hall won the battle up against Lamine Yamal
This was the night Lewis Hall went to a whole new level.
He won praise earlier this year for the way he marshalled Lamine Yamal at St James’ Park in the Champions League. But Barcelona put seven past Newcastle in the second leg of that tie, so there was no guarantee this would be a positive experience for the left-back.
Hall, however, leaves Madrid with the England left-back spot nailed down and plenty wondering why he wasn’t at the World Cup.
There was brilliant defending, including a couple of tackles just before half-time where he single-handedly stopped Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino in the England box. And even in the final seconds, he expertly won a goal-kick when Alex Baena threatened.
His appetite to take the game to Spain also impressed. He made five dribbles, epitomising England’s front-foot gameplan. An all-round excellent display.
Peter Smith
And don’t forget Ben White too!
Ben White has completed an incredible England comeback
Imagine scoring to put England 3-0 up against Spain in Madrid and it’s not your best moment of the match.
For Ben White, that standout moment came on 84 minutes. With Nico Williams bearing down on goal, White pulled off a superb sliding challenge as the last defender to prevent the one-on-one.
It was like Djed Spence against Argentina all over again, only this time England got the job done.
White denied Nico Williams a Spain equaliser with a last-ditch tackle as the last defender
White has completed an incredible comeback in England colours. For so long, many thought he’d never play for his country again. Many have hounded him for coming back into the fold.
But this time the headlines are not about England fans booing him. Now it’s whether he can hold down this right-back spot as his own.
Like Hall at left-back, England’s right-back spot has been far from settled. White is England’s sixth starting right-back in their last 11 games, dating back to the start of the World Cup knockout stages.
But this was a reminder of how good White is, why he deserves his England spot after impressing for the best club team in the country.
Sam Blitz
Trafford makes his case to be No 1
Tuchel was keen to play down talk of James Trafford ousting Jordan Pickford as England’s No 1 after the game. But the young goalkeeper showed he has the ability to shine on the biggest stage in Madrid.
His double save late in the game was a decisive moment, with his reactions to keep out the second, deflected shot razor sharp. Tuchel was equally keen to praise his distribution and composure as England built up from deep.
He may have conceded four goals in two appearances against Spain in this Nations League group phase but he comes out of this period with his reputation enhanced and as the clear challenger to Pickford.
The Everton shot-stopper has never let England down but if the changing of the guard is to come in the near future, Trafford is in pole position to step in.
Peter Smith
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.
