England hang on to beat world champions Spain 3-2 in Madrid thriller

A 10-man England hung on to beat world champions Spain 3-2 in Madrid to top their Nations League group.

The Three Lions put an end to the World Cup winners' 43-game unbeaten streak since Luis de la Fuente's side last lost to Colombia in March 2024.

Captain and Ballon d'Or winner Harry Kane put England ahead with a penalty at the end of the first half after he was fouled by Pau Cubarsi in the box.

Ezri Konsa scored a free header from a Declan Rice Corner to double the lead in the 53rd minute before Ben White drilled the ball through the legs of Unai Simon five minutes later to send England into dreamland.

England were cruising at 3-0 at the Metropolitano when Elliot Anderson dragged back Lamine Yamal to get himself sent off in the 63rd minute and hand Spain a penalty lifeline.

Mikel Oyarzabal converted before fellow Euro 2024 final goalscorer Nico Williams came off the bench to make it 3-2 with 15 minutes to go.

Spain poured forward but England's defence found a way to weather the attack with a stunning late double-save from James Trafford - who was given the nod in goal ahead of Jordan Pickford - securing the win.

Wild celebrations greeted the final whistle, with the statement win seeing Thomas Tuchel's side through to the Nations League quarter-finals as Group A3 winners.

The England boss praised a "brilliant performance," telling ITV Sport: "We were the better team. We put out a fantastic performance from start to finish.

"The red card and the penalty is always a big decision - and I need to understand why it's a double punishment.

"Then it was a long, long 30 minutes - but I don't want to focus on that. There was so, so many positive things about the result after 60 minutes. It was well deserved."

England and Arsenal midfielder Rice said he knew his team would end Spain's unbeaten run after beating Croatia 2-1 on Thursday.

"We knew we were going to beat them tonight. The messaging 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 just sit back and try and hit them on the counter," he told ITV.

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Spain's late onslaught brought back memories of England's semi-final loss to Argentina at the World Cup, but this time they withstood the barrage.

"Argentina that day, it wasn't meant to be," said Rice.

"Things swing the other way and for a second when they got the second you might have thought it was going to go the other way with the amount of pressure they were putting but that resilience, that defending, keep looking up at the clock realising there's not long left, keep emptying the tank, doing anything for this badge, for this team, for our players, the manager.

"It's a massive win, credit to everyone."

(c) Sky News 2026: England hang on to beat world champions Spain 3-2 in Madrid thriller