England outplayed world champion Spain in a 3-2 win on Sunday in the Nations League, holding on with 10 men to end Spain's 43-game unbeaten streak as Harry Kane scored again.
The Ballon d'Or winner struck with a penalty on the stroke of halftime in Madrid for a national record-extending 93rd goal after being fouled by Pau Cubarsí, with the decision upheld following a video review.
“We knew we were going to beat them tonight," England midfielder Declan Rice told British broadcaster ITV.
“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. Our first 10 minutes are probably the best we’ve played in a 10-minute spell – pressure, pressure, pressure."
England took top spot in Group A3, with both sides already qualified for the quarterfinals before the game.
Defender Ezri Konsa's header from Rice's corner made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute against World Cup winner Spain. Jude Bellingham then set up defender Ben White shortly after.
But after midfielder Elliot Anderson was sent off for fouling Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal slotted in the resulting penalty. Forward Nico Williams pulled another goal back from Yamal's pass to ensure a tense finish with 15 minutes left.
"The red card changed the course of the game because it could have been a couple more (England goals),” Rice said.
The Trafford show
England was also indebted to goalkeeper James Trafford, who is not a regular but showed his shot-stopping ability when his side was under heavy pressure in stoppage time.
After parrying Fermín López’s low strike, he responded quickly to turn Aymeric Laporte’s follow-up around the post, and then kept out standout midfielder Pedri’s powerful low strike with moments left in the game.
Trafford had made another fine double save with 10 minutes left in regulation time, blocking efforts from Yamal and defender Marc Cucurella.
Gritty win
France qualified for the quarterfinals with a 2-1 home win over Turkey in Group A1, and Belgium also advanced after routing Italy 4-1
After losing 3-1 away to Italy on Thursday, France labored to a gritty home win.
France took the lead through Emirhan Topçu’s own-goal early in the second half after Adrien Rabiot had headed on a corner. Substitute Eli Junior Kroupi grabbed a debut goal with a low shot under the goalkeeper after being played in by Rayan Cherki before Abdülkerim Bardakci replied in the 90th.
The match was held in Bordeaux, the club France coach Zinedine Zidane played for when he made his France debut in 1994, albeit in a different stadium. The midfield great scored two brilliant goals against the Czech Republic after coming on as a substitute.
Right back Saël Kumbedi also made his international debut.
France goalkeeper Mike Maignan came off with a right thigh injury at halftime and was replaced by Guillaume Restes.
Belgium rallies
Pio Esposito gave Italy an 11th-minute lead in Brussels, but the home side soon equalized through Brighton midfielder Maxim De Cuyper and led 3-1 within 26 minutes after goals from defender Nathan Ngoy and Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku.
Midfielder Diego Moreira completed the scoring with a late goal.
Albania joins Montenegro in League B
Albania won 2-0 at rival Belarus to finish top of their group in League C and earn promotion.
Atalanta striker Nikola Krstović grabbed two goals in already-promoted Montenegro’s 4-1 victory over Cyprus, which enters the playoffs.
Finland routed San Marino 7-2 with Adrian Svanbäck netting a hat trick.
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