Manager Thomas Tuchel says the “winner takes it all” as England end 2026 with the opportunity to top their Nations League group in today’s “final” at world champions Spain.
The World Cup bronze medallists have had an intense year, with highs like the heroic triumph against adversity in Mexico followed by a heartbreaking semifinal collapse to Argentina.
England were minutes away from securing a place in the final against eventual winners Spain, who ran out 3-2 victors when they eventually did meet in September’s Nations League opener at Wembley.
La Roja have a 100 per cent record in Group A3 but Tuchel’s men head into tomorrow’s Madrid fixture with a chance of toppling them after securing a 2-1 victory they were “desperate for” against Croatia.
“The winner takes it all,” England boss Tuchel told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“Even like you see today like in the last 10 minutes, where it gets nervous and a bit tense and Croatia is pushing, these are important moments for us to overcome and to learn from them.
“We need exactly these games. Now it’s a final for the group victory.
“We want we wanted exactly this kind of match, and we want the victory in Spain.”
