England Spain Nations League test Tuchel World Cup lessons, Digi Mart USA News (Madrid): England face holders Spain in Madrid on Sunday night, a match that will test how much progress the team has made since its World Cup semi-final defeat to Argentina. Spain, who beat Argentina in the World Cup final in New Jersey this summer, have not lost since March 2024 and are unbeaten in 43 games.
England captain Harry Kane called the fixture “the perfect opportunity to try and prove ourselves,” while head coach Thomas Tuchel described it as “proof of concept on the highest level.” Tuchel also confirmed that Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford will get another opportunity in goal, as he continues to alternate with Jordan Pickford.
Spain have been especially strong at home, unbeaten in 20 games since a 2-1 defeat by Switzerland in September 2022. England’s last win in Spain was a 3-2 Nations League victory in Sevilla in October 2018. In September, England lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley, when Kane missed a penalty that could have given England a 3-1 lead.
England arrived in Madrid after four successive wins since that Wembley defeat, most recently a 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley on Thursday. Tuchel was heavily criticised after the World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina in Atlanta, where his approach was seen by many as too negative after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead.
According to the BBC, the Football Association’s post-tournament review included a “full and frank” meeting between Tuchel and the squad at the start of the September international break. Kane and Jude Bellingham were understood to have given forthright views, with the approach in the Argentina loss a key theme.
Players are believed to feel that Tuchel has taken on those lessons and is aiming for a more positive style.
Former England defender Matthew Upson, speaking to BBC Sport, said England are still a work in progress and must use the strengths of players such as Kane, Bellingham and, at times, Anthony Gordon while supporting them with the rest of the team. He said the key test would be the players’ mindset and belief when a game becomes difficult, as it did against Argentina.
