England fend off fiery Spain fightback to top Nations League group

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It was not over. Far from it, everything changing when Jarell Quansah erred and Lamine Yamal ran into the penalty area where he was fouled by Elliot Anderson. It was a red card…

It was the game to show Thomas Tuchel where his rebooted England team are at, playing surely the ultimate test in international football: Spain in Spain. A world champion team who, in Tuchel’s words, had “forgotten how to lose.” Before this Nations League tie, they had been beaten only once in 43 matches – on penalties to Portugal in the final of this competition last year.

What England produced for 65 minutes here in Madrid was extraordinary. What followed was equally so for very different reasons. And when it was all over, England had the most sensational of victories.

England led 3-0. It was Harry Kane, of course, who put them in front from the penalty spot, the best player in the world damaging the best team. When Ezri Konsa and Ben White added the others, the travelling supporters were pinching themselves.

It was not over. Far from it, everything changing when Jarell Quansah erred and Lamine Yamal ran into the penalty area where he was fouled by Elliot Anderson. It was a red card for the England midfielder and a penalty for Spain. When Mikel Oyarzabal converted, it was the prompt for a siege.

Spain knocked hard at the door. They scored again through the substitute, Nico Williams, from an assist from the frankly ludicrous Lamine Yamal and England’s 10 men were left in grim survival mode. An equaliser looked on. And yet it did not come. It was James Trafford who produced a stunning late save to deny Aymeric Laporte and England had made the most stunning statement. They advance into the quarter-finals as the group winners – above Spain. It was about more than that.

England did not need a reminder, nobody did. But before the game, Spain were keen to show that the World Cup belonged to them. The trophy was brought out and given to Unai Simón, the captain in the absence of the injured Rodri, to show off to the sell-out crowd. Had Spain not already had their homecoming with the gold? It was a power play. England’s players looked on enviously. What if?

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