England snap Spain's 43-match unbeaten run with dramatic 3-2 victory in Madrid

OPA WIRE, Nov 15 (OPA) — England produced a dominant performance in Madrid, stunning the hosts before holding on under intense pressure. Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot just before halftime, converting his 93rd international goal after Pau Cubarsi brought him down inside the area. The visitors pressed their advantage early in the second half, silencing the Metropolitano crowd and stripping Spain of their defensive invincibility through relentless tactical discipline.

The match turned dramatically in the 63rd hour when midfielder Elliot Anderson received a red card for pulling back Lamine Yamal. Down to 10 men, England faced a fierce Spanish onslaught as the world champions mounted a determined comeback. Goalkeeper James Trafford preserved the narrow lead deep into stoppage time with a remarkable double save, securing a famous triumph that avenged previous tournament disappointments.

The fixture served as a Nations League dead rubber with both nations already guaranteed progression to the quarter-finals next March. However, the high-stakes encounter carried immense psychological weight for an England squad seeking to overcome historical tournament hurdles. Spain had not lost since March 2024 and maintained an undefeated home record dating back to September 2022 before Tuchel's side dismantled that streak.

The victory validates Thomas Tuchel's early tenure as England manager, offering tangible evidence that his squad can compete against the world's elite ahead of the 2028 European Championship. England return to domestic action carrying renewed momentum, while Spain must regroup following their first competitive defeat in over two years.