England travel to Madrid to face Spain in the final game of their Nations League group campaign, with the match taking place at the Estadio Metropolitano and due to be televised live on ITV1 from 7pm in the UK. The Three Lions sit second in Group A3, three points behind the world champions, who have won all five of their games in the group. Spain beat England 3-2 at Wembley during the September international break, the only defeat England have suffered in the group stage.

A win of any margin would be enough for England to finish top, because their overall goal difference is better than Spain's, while a draw or defeat would leave them in second. England have already secured a top-two finish after a 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley, where Harry Kane scored a penalty on his record-breaking 126th appearance, surpassing Peter Shilton's record for most England caps. Spain arrive on a record-extending unbeaten run of 43 games, having last lost in a friendly to Colombia in March 2024.S1S2

Finishing top matters because the quarter-finals are two-legged ties, with the four League A group winners seeded for the draw and guaranteed to host the second leg, which could allow England to settle the tie at Wembley. Finishing second would leave them unseeded, drawn against a group winner and forced to play the decisive leg away from home. Teams from the same group cannot meet in the quarter-finals, so England will not face Spain again at that stage.S2

Thomas Tuchel is expected to name a strong side with the knockout rounds in mind, with Konsa and Spence considered as options to strengthen England's defence and James Trafford set to start in goal in place of Jordan Pickford. For Spain, Luis de la Fuente has said Lamine Yamal is in perfect condition to play 90 minutes after a knee issue, while Alex Grimaldo misses out through illness.S1