England were beaten 3-2 by Spain in a thrilling Nations League contest at Wembley.
Marc Guehi was caught dallying in possession and Lamine Yamal slotted past James Trafford – starting in goal ahead of Jordan Pickford – to give Spain an early lead. But, Anthony Gordon flew in behind the Spanish defence on the counterattack and guided home an equaliser.
Harry Kane then sent England into the lead by meeting a Nico O’Reilly cross and directing a header at goal. The ball deflected off Marc Cucurella and landed in the back of the net put give Thomas Tuchel’s side the lead at half-time.
However, Kane then missed the opportunity to extend the lead by firing a penalty kick into the crossbar and England were punished as Alex Baena came off the bench to score Spain’s equaliser.
It was a second substitute, in Mikel Oyarzabal, who decided the outcome as he eased into the box and chipped Trafford in the second half to secure the points for Spain.
Follow the reaction from the Nations League below:
England vs Spain live
- REPORT: England take positive step forward but Spain defeat reveals true level they must reach
- ANALYSIS: England’s first-half blitz against Spain shows a new identity under Thomas Tuchel
- REACTION: Anthony Gordon reflects on ‘missed chance’ to beat Spain
- REACTION: Tuchel maintains England 'dominated' Spain in spells despite defeat in Nations League
A glimpse of England's DNA
09:05 , Lawrence Ostlere at Wembley
England spent all week telling us why they can’t keep the ball like Spain. We weren’t taught that way. We don’t have the players. It’s not in our DNA. As if to drill home the point, Marc Guehi got lost on the edge of his own box like a scout staring at a broken compass, and Lamine Yamal punished him.
Two minutes gone, 1-0 down to the world champions, and at that moment everyone inside Wembley Stadium thought the same thing. Here comes a Spanish onslaught of short passing, an exhibition in keeping the ball, a tiki-taka masterclass straight from the pages of Pep Confidential. We have seen this movie before, and it ends with exhausted Englishmen chasing shadows.
Except, that’s not what happened here. England competed. England tackled and harried. England passed the ball to men wearing the same coloured shirt, repeatedly. Most importantly, they scored brilliantly incisive goals in a first-half period when Spain, actual Spain, eight of whom started the World Cup final, couldn’t live with them.
England’s first-half blitz against Spain reveals Three Lions’ new identity
Tuchel maintains England 'dominated' Spain despite defeat
08:49 , Jack Rathborn
Thomas Tuchel was defiant despite England’s Nations League defeat to Spain and insisted the hosts “dominated” the world champions.
“I agree,” Tuchel remarked when informed that Harry Kane claimed it was the best England had played in a while. “The reaction was very good, after 10-12 minutes, we were the better team.
“We made some mistakes, conceded big chances, but overall we were better, we dominated in the opponent’s half, created, scored two goals. It was our best 15 minutes after the whistle, couldn’t unfortunately convert the penalty, the decisive moment, I think Spain would have, for the first time, believe their long run of unbeaten games ends here.”
Kane says City case no distraction
07:00 , Alan Smith
Asked by ITV if Friday’s seismic news was a distraction for the players, England’s captain replied: "There was a discussion, but at the end of the day when we're with England, that's been a big plus for us, we kind of put club football to one side and it was no different this week."
Two sides to England
06:00 , Alan Smith
“There's two sides to that England performance,” former goalkeeper Paul Robinson summarised on BBC radio.
“There is the side who were susceptible defensively but saying that two of Spain's goals came from England errors that could have been avoided.
“Thomas Tuchel will take a lot of heart from the way that England got themselves back into it. Tuchel will take from this that his team has got heart and fight. But once again we are talking about a 90 minute performance.”
They were good and probably the better team for large spells of that game but not over the whole game.”
Did Gordon goal embody Tuchel's vision for England?
05:00 , Alan Smith
"No, the Anthony Gordon goal was a counter-attack,” the manager told ITV.
"The top transition goal we scored, we scored amazing goals and could have created more if we were a bit more clinical in the last 20 metres.
"We had an incredible amount of ball wins. We couldn't convert enough into chances and goals, otherwise we would have won the match."
Spain's dominance
04:00 , Alan Smith
ENG 2-3 ESP (FT)
— MisterChip (English) (@MisterChiping) September 26, 2026
In the last 2 years, Spain have faced world champions NINE times
Italy
Germany
France
England
France
Uruguay
France
Argentina
England
THEY WON ALL NINE
IT'S SURREAL
THE BEST NATIONAL TEAM ON THE PLANET
BY A MILE pic.twitter.com/Qg5IfULc34
'We can win that game so easily'
03:00 , Alan Smith
"Like I said a couple of days ago, I don't think there is a gap [to Spain] I feel like we're right there. We can win that game so easily,” Gordon told ITV.
“If the penalty goes in we can go on and win the game. In hindsight it's always easy to say that. But I felt good in the game. I don't think there is a gap and I think if we played them in the final I would've felt confident. Being confident doesn't always translate into a win, but I think you've seen here tonight that we're a top team."
Stats for concern
02:00 , Alan Smith
According to Opta, England have conceded three or more goals in consecutive matches for the first time since June 1995 (3-3 v Sweden, 1-3 v Brazil).
England have conceded 13 goals in their past six matches in all competitions, almost double the amount they had shipped in their first 17 games under Thomas Tuchel (seven).
And they lost a match they led at half-time for the first time since June 2019 (vs Netherlands in Nations League). They had won 41 of their previous 42 when ahead at the break since then, drawing one.
'Sexy football, I'd watch it all night'
01:00 , Alan Smith
Roy Keane sums the Spain performance up on ITV: “I think there is a gap [between Spain and England]. They're the world champions and European champions...
“Mikel Oyarzabal was never going to miss. He was always in control of the situation. Honestly, people talk about sexy football, that is sexy football. I would watch that all night.”
Kane focused on positives
Sunday 27 September 2026 00:00 , Alan Smith
"I spoke before that we reached good levels at the World Cup but didn't quite put a full 90 minutes together. Probably similar again today,” he told ITV.
“We had a couple of good moments though, that period was as good as we've played in a long, long time and that's the standard we know we can reach.
"We're playing against the world champions, the European champions, and we went toe-to-toe. On another day for sure we'd have won that game. We have to take the positives from it. We have to dust ourselves down and go again in a few days."
England’s first-half blitz against Spain shows a new identity under Thomas Tuchel
Saturday 26 September 2026 23:12 , Lawrence Ostlere at Wembley
Spain exposed England’s flaws but also offered Thomas Tuchel something valuable: proof that his team can impose a different kind of football on the world champions.
England’s first-half blitz against Spain reveals Three Lions’ new identity
'Gutted about the mistakes'
Saturday 26 September 2026 23:00 , Michael Jones
Anthony Gordon admitted that he was ‘gutted’ about England football team’s mistakes against world champions Spain football which helped them to a 3-2 victory over the Three Lions in a Nations League contest at Wembley.
Anthony Gordon reflects on ‘missed chance’ to beat Spain
England take positives - and a lesson
Saturday 26 September 2026 22:30 , Miguel Delaney at Wembley
The World Cup final England could have had but, on this evidence, there would still have been the same champions.
At the very least, Thomas Tuchel has been reminded of the real level that is going to be required to potentially win at this very stadium on 9 July 2028. Might this 3-2 Spain victory even provide a preview?
A significant positive, if also a different kind of problem, is that England did considerably up it from a lot of the World Cup. It was instructive that there were no boos at the end. This had been an entertaining evening of Nations League football at Wembley.
England take positive step but Spain defeat reveals true level they must reach
Thomas Tuchel's snap reaction
Saturday 26 September 2026 22:10 , Alan Smith
“Terrible start, worst start possible to make it so so difficult. Reaction was very, very good. After 10 minutes we were the better team but made some big mistakes but overall we were better and scored two goals. It was our best 15 minutes after the whistle, couldn’t unfortunately convert the penalty... then a big, big mistake for the 2-2. It’s just what it is. We keep going, learn from it and take what’s positive.”
As it stands - at this early stage
Saturday 26 September 2026 22:00 , Alan Smith
Croatia have beaten Czechia in the other game, winning 2-1 away with Luka Modric scoring the opener.
Anthony Gordon's snap reaction
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:49 , Alan Smith
Speaking to ITV, he says: “It’s a bit of a missed chance. A great game to watch and play in. You always feel like it’s you giving it away rather than them winning it.”
On Kane’s missed penalty: “I think it puts us in a great position. We were hungry for more, to go for the throat and the kill.”
Did his goal show the identity he has spoken about? “Kind of if you want to phrase it that way. It kind of summed up what I said but ultimately it didn’t lead to victory.”
Is there a gap between the teams? “If the penalty went in I think we’d have won. What you’ve seen tonight is we’re a top team.”
FULL-TIME! England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:42 , Alan Smith
And the corner amounts to little.
England are defeated by the world champions at Wembley.
Spain are now 39 games unbeaten.
Stand by for all the reaction.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:41 , Alan Smith
95’ - Bellingham has a pop from an improbable angle. Simon parries it over. England have a corner and there are 10 seconds to go. This will be the final act.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:39 , Alan Smith
94’- Baena has a needless nibble at the heels of Rogers, committing a silly foul that Anderson will swing in from the right. The big men are all coming up.
But Anderson’s delivery goes straight into the hands of Simon.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:37 , Alan Smith
91’ - Spain have retreated and are holding a nice shape. England will need to get inventive if they are to level.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:36 , Alan Smith
90’ - There will be five added minutes.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:34 , Alan Smith
89’ - Branthwaite is in for Guehi.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:33 , Alan Smith
88’ - Rogers sends a low cross in from the opposite flank which Pubill puts out for a corner. The set-piece is taken short and eventually headed away.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:32 , Alan Smith
86’- Garner sends a high cross in from the left that is too deep for Calvert-Lewin when the immediate consensus is that he should have delivered it low.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:30 , Alan Smith
There are 84,525 fans at Wembley for this one.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:29 , Alan Smith
84’ - Bellingham brings a simple save out of Simon with a low left-footed punt.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:29 , Alan Smith
82’ - For Spain, Merino replaces Olmo.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:28 , Alan Smith
82’ - Gibbs-White and Calvert-Lewin are on for Saka and Kane.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:27 , Alan Smith
81’ - England want another penalty, this time Saka after being challenged by Cucurella. But replays show the Spain left back gets his toe to the ball and it’s really a fantastic challenge.
Bellingham is then booked for trying to stop Spain from countering.
That leading Spain goal
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:25 , Alan Smith
It’s a beauty.
Mikel Oyarzabal SCORE against England AGAIN! 🎯
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 26, 2026
Spain retake the lead after a slick finish from the Spaniard 👏#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/QbvKZOCE04
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:24 , Alan Smith
78’ - Yamal drills over after the sustained spell of passing ends with Pedri and Olmo combining delightfully.
England 2-3 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:22 , Alan Smith
77’ - Now the oles are out as Spain pop it around. England have not touched the ball since the restart broke down.
GOAL! England 2-3 Spain (Oyarzabal 74)
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:20 , Alan Smith
The world champions do what they do best, passing it slickly through the middle for Baena to send Oyarzabal clean through and the substitute centre forward lifts a delicious finish over Trafford and in. It’s beautiful from Spain, utterly deflating for England.
England 2-2 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:16 , Alan Smith
71’ - And Pedri is in for Ruiz.
England 2-2 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:15 , Alan Smith
70’ - Garner and Rogers are on, Gordon and Lewis-Skelly.
England 2-2 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:15 , Alan Smith
70’ - Now Guehi is booked for bringing down Olmo.
England 2-2 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:14 , Alan Smith
69’ - Lewis-Skelly extracts a stop from Simon. It’s still very very open.
England 2-2 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:14 , Alan Smith
68’ - Baena fizzes a shot that Trafford does well to smother following an awkward bounce.
England 2-2 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:12 , Alan Smith
67’ - O’Reilly kicks Yamal in the calves and earns himself a yellow card.
England 2-2 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:12 , Alan Smith
66’ - Bellingham shows some magical feet to beat three Spain players and feeds Saka to his right. The Arsenal star shoots a whisker wide and Tuchel reacts with anguish.
England 2-2 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:10 , Alan Smith
64’ - Just as we say it’s non-stop, Spain take the sting out by playing a bit of keep ball.
England 2-2 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:08 , Alan Smith
62’ - It’s all a bit basketball, going from end to end. Olmo sees his shot blocked by Guehi.
GOAL! England 2-2 Spain (Baena 60)
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:06 , Alan Smith
And we’re level again. O’Reilly coughs up the ball cheaply, Spain work it in from the right for Baena to finish slickly.
England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:05 , Alan Smith
60’ - Yamal a whisker away. Spain’s first real chance of the second half as Baena back heels to him but the Barcelona star prods just off target.
England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:03 , Alan Smith
57’ - Quansah lets fly from just inside the box but his drive smacks off the side of Cucurella’s head. He is down, dazed and confused, but should be OK to continue after a sore one.
England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:00 , Alan Smith
55’ - Kane kicked the ball twice when slipping so Spain restart with a free out.
PENALTY MISSED! England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 21:00 , Alan Smith
It remains 2-1. Kane slips as he plants his left foot before striking the ball with his right and the effort crashes off the bar.
Spain make two changes: Williams and Torres are off, Oyarzabal and Baena are on.
PENALTY GIVEN! England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:59 , Alan Smith
And Davide Massa is satisfied enough from his viewing to point to the spot.
The Real Madrid midfielder gets one over on the Barcelona rival who could easily have become his team-mate this summer.
Kane will take it once Spain’s protests have settled down.
VAR CHECK FOR PENALTY! England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:57 , Alan Smith
51’ - And now Bellingham wants a penalty after going down under pressure from Rodri. There is clear contact but the England midfielder is certainly looking for it too. VAR is sending the referee towards the monitor.
England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:55 , Alan Smith
49’ - England are dominating now. Quansah has sent a header over the bar after Spain make a mess out of an offside trap, then Saka ventures into a dangerous position and brings a save from Simon. He’s taken down and VAR takes a look but play continues.
England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:53 , Alan Smith
47’ - England have started the half well, producing wave after wave of attack until Cubarsi reacts hastily to stop O’Reilly. A moment later Lewis-Skelly wins a corner off Cubarsi after getting in front of Ruiz.
Restarted! England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:51 , Alan Smith
And we’re back underway. The posh seats at Wembley remain empty despite such a good game.
England's 'new' approach
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:48 , Alan Smith
Spain’s unbeaten run is 38 games.
It’s only half-time but England appear to have found the recipe to get to the world champions: pace, directness and - after the sloppy start - no dawdling in defence.
The leading goal
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:39 , Alan Smith
Nico O’Reilly 🤝 Harry Kane pic.twitter.com/Xcwa96Ygi3
— England (@England) September 26, 2026
Half-time! England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:35 , Alan Smith
What a delightful half of football. Time to catch our breath.
England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:34 , Alan Smith
45’ - There will be one added minute. We wouldn’t have minded a little more.
England 2-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:32 , Alan Smith
44’ - Ruiz tries to get Spain back on level terms but his shot is deflected.
This is a belting game.
Kane awarded second goal
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:31 , Alan Smith
The goal has been given to Kane according to Uefa.
The new identity
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:31 , Lawrence Ostlere at Wembley
What a brilliant few minutes by England. If this their new identity – fast, direct, ruthless – we'll certainly take it. Wembley has come alive.
GOAL! England 2-1 Spain (Cucurella 40og)
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:30 , Alan Smith
England are in front! O’Reilly is given space down the left to send a cross in for Kane to dispatch a glancing header towards the right corner. Cucurella is there to try and clear but instead the ball skids off his right quad and in. It’s unclear on first viewing whether Kane’s effort was on target or heading just wide so it may well be given to the England captain...
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:28 , Alan Smith
39’ - Kane has been so quiet but, on the edge of the box, he comes to life when being fed by Saka. The strike has venom but the target is a little off.
GOAL! England 1-1 Spain (Gordon 36)
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:26 , Alan Smith
... and Gordon makes te most of it. Williams slips to give it away initially and Anderson sets Gordon free. He then exchanges passes with Bellingham as they advance rapidly from their box to Spain’s. The finish, with Simon emerging off his line, is tucked away beautifully.
How rare is it to see Spain concede in such a fashion?
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:25 , Alan Smith
36’ - Yamal earns a corner off O’Reilly. Olmo takes it short rather than trying to find the POMO. But England win the ball and have a rare chance to counter and ...
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:23 , Alan Smith
34’ - Yamal flicks the ball around the corner for Olmo and his shot from an acute angle zips across goal and a whisker wide.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:22 , Alan Smith
32’ - Saka shifts in from the right and fizzes a shot that is deflected out for another corner which Saka again sees collected by the dominant Simon.
England have been decent enough going forward in spite of their defensive follies.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:20 , Alan Smith
31’- Lewis-Skelly is asking for a penalty after a meeting with Cubarsi but referee Massa has no interest and play continuess.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:18 , Alan Smith
29’ - O’Reilly goes up the other end and wins a corner of Pubil. It’s sent deep, worked back across goal by Konsa for Anderson to snatch at a shot which Williams clear as far as Guehi and he then fires tamely off target.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:16 , Alan Smith
27’ - It really should be two. Anderson gives the ball away cheaply, allowing Spain to counter. One pass later it’s at the feet of Torres. Again he has only Trafford to beat but this time the effort is dragged across goal and wide. It’s another big let off from a player who has always lacked a ruthless edge - aside from in the biggest match of all.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:15 , Alan Smith
25’ - Anderson drags Ruiz down in the Spain box while England try to press.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:09 , Alan Smith
21’ - ... but Saka whips it in low and everyone is caught by surprise. Spain eventually break forward.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:09 , Alan Smith
20’ - Nico Williams trips Saka just outside the box on England’s right wing and this is another decent set-piece opportunity for the hosts...
Quansah the weak link?
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:08 , Lawrence Ostlere at Wembley
Kane just berated Quansah for failing to play a simple pass to him, and a moment later Bellingham was in the right-back's ear telling him to be calmer on the ball. It does feel like Quansah is the weak link when England have the ball.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:07 , Alan Smith
18’ - England have a corner, after Simon errs when trying to gather a loose Quansah pass forward, but Saka sends his inswinger straight into Simon’s hands.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:05 , Alan Smith
16’ - Big, big save from Trafford. Torres is slipped in after Konsa plays him on and with only the goalkeeper to beat, the Spain forward finds his effort stopped by a foot of the Leeds No. 1.
Hit Harry?
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:04 , Alan Smith
England can't handle Spain's man-to-man press when playing out, but are finding some success when going direct.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) September 26, 2026
Feels like there is some kind of narrative there.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:03 , Alan Smith
14’ - Gordon is not far from finding Saka at the back stick with a lovely cross. He got on the ball after a sweet diagonal from Anderson. It should be a corner for England but a goal kick is given.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:02 , Alan Smith
13’ - A mildly better spell for England in the past two minutes, even if it is congested in the middle third.
Quick out of the blocks
Saturday 26 September 2026 20:00 , Alan Smith
2 - Lamine Yamal has scored the third quickest goal England have ever conceded at Wembley Stadium, behind only first minute goals for Scotland in 1957 and Hungary in 1953.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 26, 2026
Punch. pic.twitter.com/NxVp1qOnVi
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:58 , Alan Smith
8’- Now Spain have a corner after Cucurella ventures down the left. Lewis-Skelly does well to shut the danger down.
It’s taken towards Yamal on the edge of the box and his volley is blocked. Spain recycle it quickly though and Ruiz floats a lovely through ball in for Torres to guide into the net... luckily for England the World Cup final goalscorer is narrowly offside.
Spain have been a cut above so far here. It is ominous for England.
A possession masterclass?
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:55 , Lawrence Ostlere at Wembley
Thomas Tuchel described playing Spain as the hardest task in football. Marc Guehi has decided to make the challenge slightly harder. I wonder if we are about to see a Spanish possession masterclass...
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:55 , Alan Smith
6’ - Kane sets Gordon away down the left but his cross is smothered at the near post by Simon.
England 0-1 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:54 , Alan Smith
5’ - England look to settle things down with a spell of possession but Guehi, after being fed by Trafford, appears a little unconvincing when being pressed by Olmo.
GOAL! England 0-1 Spain (Yamal 2)
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:52 , Alan Smith
Oh and it’s a nightmare start for England as Guehi gives away possession cheaply by turning towards goal 25 yards out.
Yamal capitalises, making a simple interception and, after sauntering forward with only Trafford to beat, he side foots in off the left post with a delightful bit of technique.
Kick-off! England 0-0 Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:49 , Alan Smith
And we’re underway, Ferran Torres kicking off for Spain, playing from left to right as we watch.
No guard of honour for Spain
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:47 , Alan Smith
A Spanish media friend mildly bemoaning to me that England didn’t do a guard of honour for the world champions.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) September 26, 2026
Will Anthony Barry do a half-time interview?
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:45 , Alan Smith
Unlikely but it would be fun, a reminder of the summer.
Wonderwall remains the soundtrack
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:40 , Alan Smith
That’s the song blaring out during the lights and firework show as the team gather in the tunnel.
It’s almost time for action.
Late Spain change
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:38 , Alan Smith
Marc Pubil is in for Garcia, who has picked up some knee knock.
Tuchel on rotating keepers
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:37 , Alan Smith
"[Trafford] gets two consecutive matches because he deserves it and then Pickford gets the other two,” Tuchel tells ITV.
“It was amazing to see how Jordan received the message and how he reacted to it. James is starting for Leeds and he had a good start. We know what Pickford can give us and he did nothing wrong. He was very positive about it so the decision is half and half."
"We showed the same energy and commitment in training again. We need to stick to the plan until the last minute. Hopefully we do it with confidence in belief and in some moments Spain can find solutions and these are the moments to keep belief and not lose faith and keep going."
Tonight's referee...
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:30 , Alan Smith
... is Italy’s Davide Massa.
Filippo Meli and Alessio Berti will assist, with Matteo Marcenaro the fourth official and Marco Di Bello on VAR duty.
Yamal vs O'Reilly
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:24 , Alan Smith
If this is a final chance to impress the Ballon d’Or voters, then Nico O’Reilly faces quite the job in silencing Lamine Yamal as a favour for Harry Kane.
Lamine Yamal checking in 👋🇪🇸#NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/X8agL8vylc
— UEFA EURO (@UEFAEURO) September 26, 2026
More City analysis
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:18 , Alan Smith
So big is the Manchester City news that ITV’s pre-match build-up to this game has had a hefty enough segment on the development.
Roy Keane, everyone will be shocked to learn, was pulling no punches.
🗣️ "They were cheating and they have to take their medicine" 👀
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 26, 2026
The ITV Panel discuss Man City being allegedly found guilty of breaching 114 of 115 charges relating to the Premier League's financial regulations@markpougatch |@IanWright0 | @juanmata8 pic.twitter.com/Lf9GdBX9Tg
Changing of the guard?
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:12 , Lawrence Ostlere
James Trafford is an interesting call in goal. Given the rest of the team is about as strong as England get right now, then is this an indication that Thomas Tuchel is looking for a new No 1?
Jordan Pickford has held the shirt for nearly a decade (he is still No 1 here and Trafford will wear 13), but his decision to kick long when under pressure were one of many reasons why England crumbled at the end of the World Cup semi-final against Argentina. Could Trafford be one piece of the new puzzle for Tuchel as he looks ahead to Euro 2028?
Spain changes
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:06 , Alan Smith
Luis de la Fuente has made three changes from the team that started the World Cup final win against Spain.
Eric Garcia, Nico Williams and Ferran Torres, the goalscorer in New Jersey, are in for Pedro Porro, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal.
This will also be the debut of their shirt with two stars.
Elsewhere on Saturday
Saturday 26 September 2026 19:00 , Alan Smith
Oli McBurnie and Kieron Bowie both spurned big opportunities as Sebastien Pocognoli had to settle for a draw away to Slovenia in his first match since as Scotland head coach since replacing Steve Clarke.
McBurnie misses golden chance as Pocognoli starts Scotland reign with Slovenia draw
Keegan tributes
Saturday 26 September 2026 18:54 , Alan Smith
This is England’s first game since the passing of Kevin Keegan.
He is on the front of the match programme, his family will be in attendance and tributes will be paid on the pitch before kick-off.
In memory of Kevin Keegan ❤️
— England (@England) September 26, 2026
Today's official matchday programme ⤵️
Hablas espanol?
Saturday 26 September 2026 18:45 , Alan Smith
Anthony Gordon has been catching up with his Barcelona pals pre-match.
Anthony Gordon catching up with some of his Barcelona teammates ❤️#ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/PeCu8N8nnn
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) September 26, 2026
Tuchel's big calls
Saturday 26 September 2026 18:37 , Alan Smith
What to make of Tuchel’s selection then?
Trafford replacing Pickford is the standout given how long the Everton goalkeeper has been undisputed first choice.
Quansah getting the nod over Alexander-Arnold is less of a surprise given the World Cup selection, even if many fans would rather see the Real Madrid player involved, while it will be fascinating to see how Lewis-Skelly performs in place of absent Arsenal clubmate Rice.
Spain XI confirmed!
Saturday 26 September 2026 18:34 , Alan Smith
Spain: Simon; Garcia, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Ruiz; Yamal, Olmo, Williams; Torres
England XI confirmed!
Saturday 26 September 2026 18:31 , Alan Smith
England: Trafford; Quansah, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Lewis-Skelly; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Your England team to take on Spain! 💪 pic.twitter.com/9L03iN5dl7
— England (@England) September 26, 2026
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
