England hold on for remarkable win in Madrid to end Spain’s 43-game unbeaten run
England ended 2026 with an extraordinary 3-2 triumph in world champions Spain’s backyard as Thomas Tuchel’s 10 men dug deep to top their Nations League group on a magical night in Madrid.
An intense year that included a heartbreaking World Cup semi-final collapse to Argentina and wild bronze-medal win against France concluded with a chaotic victory against adversity akin to the unforgettable last-16 triumph in Mexico.
England roared into an unthinkable three-goal lead at the Metropolitano, where Harry Kane’s penalty gave the visitors a deserved half-time lead that they quickly added to as Ezri Konsa and Ben White silenced Spain.
But Elliot Anderson’s sending off in the 63rd minute for bringing down Lamine Yamal after Jarell Quansah was caught out put them on the backfoot against the World Cup winners.
Mikel Oyarzabal converted the resulting spot-kick and fellow Euro 2024 final goalscorer Nico Williams came off the bench to reduce the deficit as Tuchel’s team attempted to batten down the hatches.
England were made to sweat and James Trafford, given the nod in goal ahead of Jordan Pickford, produced some vital saves to help bring Spain’s 43-game unbeaten record to an end.
Wild celebrations greeted the final whistle, with the statement win seeing Tuchel’s side through to the Nations League quarter-finals as Group A3 winners.
The German coach had spoken of making the “seemingly impossible possible” on Sunday night and his side panicked Spain with their early press and intensity.
Unai Simon produced a superb reaction save to deny Jude Bellingham moments before an Anthony Gordon attempt was blocked, with Spain’s goalkeeper swatting away a Declan Rice cross-shot as a stunning start continued.
Kane soon sent an effort skipping just wide from 20 yards after England forced the hosts to cough up possession.
Tuchel’s men looked unfazed by the mighty hosts, epitomised by left-back Lewis Hall’s bold run and cross that Spain just cut out.
England showed togetherness out of possession and bravery in it, with a final flourish all that was missing from their attacking play.
But shortly after Lamine Yamal had a chance they won a penalty. Anderson’s firm low pass left Marc Cucurella in a heap and put Kane in behind, with the twisting England captain drawing a foul from Pau Cubarsi and keeping his nerve to strike his 45th-minute penalty beyond Simon’s reach.
Tempers frayed as the players left the field and Spain boss Luis de la Fuente reacted to a poor first half with a triple change, but the visitors remained on top.
Real Madrid star Bellingham was loving every moment, calling for England fans to lift the roof having brilliantly won a corner that Rice sent over for unmarshalled Konsa to head home in the 53rd minute.
“We are top of the league” chanted England fans as Tuchel pumped his fists but they were not done.
Spain lacked the requisite fight in the 57th minute, when Kane played to Bellingham and he slipped through White to slam past Simon.
England were in dreamland but they never do things the easy way. A mistake by Quansah was compounded by one from Anderson, who was adjudged to have brought down Yamal and was shown a red card by referee Clement Turpin.
Oyarzabal stepped up to score the 65th-minute penalty and England were now having to cling on.
Trafford denied Fermin Lopez after an Oyarzabal cross caused chaos, but Spain smelt blood and pulled another one back in the 75th minute.
Gordon was dispossessed around the halfway line and a quick ball sent Yamal scampering down the right, with his low cross converted by Williams.
The substitute curled narrowly over as Spain’s push continued, with Trafford pulling off a pair of 80th-minute saves to thwart Yamal and Cucurella.
White made an excellent challenge on Williams as the onslaught continued, with Konsa and Quansah doing brilliantly. Trafford was surrounded by team-mates after stoppage-time heroics as England ran out winners.
Published: by Radio NewsHub