England manager Thomas Tuchel praised his squad following a 3-2 Nations League victory against reigning world champions Spain on Sunday.
The win marked a significant milestone for the team, as “England brought Spain’s record unbeaten run to an end”, according to Yahoo Sports.
The result snapped a streak of 44 competitive matches without a loss for the Spanish side, who had not been defeated in 43 games including friendlies.
England initially dominated the match at the Metropolitano stadium, securing a three-goal lead through Harry Kane, Ezri Konsa and Ben White.
However, the momentum shifted after midfielder Elliot Anderson was sent off, forcing the visitors to play the final half-hour with 10 men.
Spain capitalized on the advantage with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Nico Williams, but England managed to hold on for the win.
Tuchel described the experience of defending the lead while shorthanded as an arduous task, noting that “30 minutes against Spain, in Spain, it feels like 3 hours”, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Despite the late pressure, the manager expressed pride in his players’ ability to maintain their composure.
Tuchel emphasized that the performance was a clear indicator of the team’s progress since their previous loss to Argentina.
Reflecting on the significance of the victory, the coach stated, “This was of course a statement victory, I’m happy the players felt so confident, I felt it as well.”
He further lauded the collective spirit and tactical quality displayed by his squad throughout the evening.
By overcoming the pressure of playing against the world champions on their home soil, Tuchel suggested this was the best match of his tenure.
The team remains focused on building upon this result as they continue their Nations League campaign.
The victory serves as a testament to the growth and unity of the English side under the German coach’s leadership.