Spain 2-3 England: Tuchel's 10 men hold on to snap world champions' unbeaten streak

Ten-man England survived a scare as they claimed top spot in Nations League Group A3 with a 3-2 defeat of Spain in Madrid.

Spain's 43-game unbeaten streak came to an end at the Metropolitano, where England turned in what was arguably their best display under Thomas Tuchel.

Harry Kane deservedly put the Three Lions ahead from the penalty spot shortly before half-time, with quickfire goals from Arsenal duo Ezri Konsa and Ben White putting England into dreamland prior to the hour.

Yet Jarell Quansah's blunder led to Elliot Anderson's dismissal as the midfielder desperately dragged back Lamine Yamal, and Mikel Oyarzabal converted the resultant spot-kick before Nico Williams set up a grandstand finale, but England held on.

England set the tone from the off. Unai Simon thwarted Jude Bellingham, and Kane dragged a crisp, low strike just wide from the edge of the area.

The Three Lions got their reward when Kane was felled in Spain's box by Pau Cubarsi.

Spain wanted the penalty to be overturned, claiming Anderson had fouled Marc Cucurella in the build-up, but VAR stood by on-field referee Clement Turpin, and Kane picked out the bottom corner in the 45th minute.

And England ultimately took the game away from Spain in a blistering spell after the restart. Konsa headed home unmarked from Declan Rice's brilliant corner in the 53rd minute and, four minutes later, White slotted in at the end of a superb move.

England's joy turned to fear, though, when Quansah's error gifted Yamal a chance to rush through, leading to Anderson's last-man foul. Oyarzabal made no mistake from the spot 65 minutes in.

James Trafford made a sharp stop to deny Fermin Lopez, but there was nothing England's goalkeeper could do as Yamal squared for Williams to tuck in after Anthony Gordon was dispossessed.

Yet Trafford then came up with the key moments late on, pulling off a string of impressive stops, including a superb double save in stoppage time, to get England over the line.

Spain finally toppled as Trafford stands tall

Jordan Pickford is still seen as England's first-choice goalkeeper, but there is no doubt he has serious competition in the form of Trafford.

The former Manchester City goalkeeper showed his shot-stopping ability, making six saves, though his double effort, from Fermin and then Aymeric Laporte on the rebound, was the highlight.

For much of this contest, England were dominant and in complete control. In the first half, left-back Lewis Hall completed five dribbles; Spain's 10 outfielders combined did not complete one.

England had never led by more than one goal in a game against the number one ranked team in the world, so perhaps it was all just going a bit too well when White put them 3-0 up.

Quansah, who was at fault for Croatia's goal on Thursday, made another bad error, and from there, England looked like they could capitulate.

But after Williams dragged Spain to within a goal of a memorable comeback with 15 minutes still to go, Tuchel shut up shop. And unlike against Argentina in the World Cup semi-finals, this time, it worked for England.

The Three Lions have now won their last 10 away games, which marks a new record.

Spain, meanwhile, have suffered just their second home defeat in the space of 41 matches, dating back to a 3-2 defeat to England in 2018. This also marked La Roja's first defeat in Madrid since a loss to the Three Lions way back in February 1987.

Luis de la Fuente's men, who created chances worth 2.73 expected goals to England's 2.28 xG, qualify for the quarter-finals in second place, and will have to lick their wounds after their remarkable 968-day unbeaten run (the longest by a European nation) came to a halt.