England lost 3-2 to Spain at Wembley on Saturday night, and Thomas Tuchel’s critics have been left with almost nothing to complain about. Sky Sports News correspondent Rob Dorsett’s Reporter Notebook from the ground explains why the defeat, despite being heavy on paper, has actually improved the national mood around the England manager.
England’s tactical breakdown in the World Cup semi-final against Argentina still hurts, and Tuchel was already under fire over whether he is the right man for the job. A loss to Spain was expected to make the pressure impossible to bear.
England’s display demonstrated both character and attacking intent, despite falling behind early and trailing for much of the match. The outcome was a close defeat against the newly-crowned world champions, a side that has repeatedly established itself as the best by a mile at what they do.
The Defeat That Should Have Been Worse
The visitors took the lead in the second minute when Marc Guehi made a calamitous error near his own box, and for the next half hour they could easily have built a four-nil advantage. Spain dominated possession and play for large stretches of the match, and their superiority was not reflected in the narrow margin at halftime.
The match turned on two separate moments at opposite ends of the pitch: one mistake made by the defence, and another chance that went wanting. Harry Kane missed a penalty kick because of a slippery surface, and if he had scored from 12 yards, putting his team ahead 2-0, the result might well have been different.
Tuchel’s team were narrowly beaten by a side that has repeatedly proven itself the best by a mile at what it does, according to Dorsett, which makes it hard to criticise either the manager or his players. The numbers support that assessment.
Stats That Complicate the Story
Tuchel has plenty to feel pleased about when he looks at the numbers from the match. England took on the tika-taka maestros and came away with a very respectable 48 per cent possession share, managed more successful passes in the final third than Spain, had two fewer shots, and had over double the amount of touches inside the opponent’s box, along with five times as many crosses.
The numbers may appear to contradict what most spectators observed firsthand. The data that offers a clearer view of the game reveal that Spain created twice as many big chances. How should one make sense of both?
Spain may have had less possession than England in dangerous areas, yet whenever they did have the ball, Luis de la Fuente’s side showed greater quality and proved more decisive. The team that has gone unbeaten for two-and-a-half years avoided costly individual errors with the ball, since that is simply not part of who they are.
A Positive Mood After the Loss
England’s loss has lifted the nation’s spirits. The 88,000 Wembley crowd did not boo at the final whistle, even though for half an hour on either side of half-time they dominated the world champions in a very “English” manner.
The display carried real drive and force, with plenty of attacking intent on show. England found the net twice during that spell against a team that has only let in goals from two sides over the last 12 months, and the home side might have added to their tally across the golden 30 minutes. A full 90 minutes of that kind of play would have made all the difference, wouldn’t it?
Kane told Dorsett after the match that this is the mission, having not managed to put in a complete 90-minute performance at the World Cup, and he felt the same was true at Wembley on Saturday night. The captain wants more from his team, and he is right to want it.
The Key Numbers From Wembley
- England had 48 per cent possession against Spain
- England made more successful passes in the final third than Spain
- England had two fewer shots than Spain
- England had over double the amount of touches in the opponent’s box
- England had five times as many crosses as Spain
- Spain created twice as many big chances
What Comes Next
Czech Republic home and away, followed by Croatia away, make up the next three fixtures. That trio of matches across eight days will determine how the campaign proceeds. England should take all three, and securing those results would make this a successful international break.
Two teams advance from each group in League A, and England can finish behind Spain as long as they remain ahead of the other two nations. It is a practical consolation for a team that has just lost to the world champions.
The next match carries real weight for Tuchel’s team, and you can picture the manager telling his players during the review: “After the Spanish Inquisition, my friends, comes the test from the Czechs, mates.”
The Verdict on Wembley Night
On Saturday night, England stuck to their roots. They put in a real effort, and there were plenty of encouraging signs. The team showed attacking drive throughout, and the spectators cheered them on.
The numbers point to an evenly contested match despite Spain’s dominance at times. England kept pace with Spain in possession, showed stronger passing in the final third, and created more opportunities inside the box. The issue lay with carrying out those chances, not with putting in the work.
Critics of Tuchel have had to hold their peace and wait. The loss was close, the display was strong, and the three matches ahead give a chance to show the result was an exception.
Gordon’s view differs from Keane’s: there is ‘There’ gap between Spain and England. That gap was visible at Wembley, yet England demonstrated they can hold their own against the best when they play with the right spirit.
England still have three matches left to play, and a strong run could keep their hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals in the spring very much alive. The mood is positive, and the next game is the one that matters.
Source material: “Why Tuchel's critics have been forced to stay quiet despite Spain loss,” Sky Sports.
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