Harry Kane has set his sights on winning England’s Nations League group after firing his side to victory over Croatia. England now have the chance to avenge their defeat to Spain in the reverse fixture and snatch top spot on the final matchday.
The England captain scored the winner from the penalty spot in a 2–1 victory at Wembley, securing Thomas Tuchel’s side a place in the quarter-finals before they travel to Madrid. Sunday’s game will now decide who finishes top of the group.
“Our aim is definitely to finish top of the group,” Kane said after the Croatia game. Spain won the reverse fixture 3–2 at Wembley, leaving England playing catch-up in the rounds that followed.
“Sunday is the perfect opportunity to show what we can do,” the Bayern Munich striker added. He said England’s players felt they could have performed better in the first meeting and agreed afterwards that they needed to win every game before facing Spain again.
“We gave the ball away too cheaply too often,” Kane said of England’s performance against Croatia. He explained that losing possession in their own half disrupted their rhythm and that they would need to be sharper against Spain.
Kane earned his 126th cap against Croatia, surpassing Peter Shilton’s England men’s record. He also took his international tally to 92 goals on a night when Wembley paid tribute to him following his Ballon d’Or win.
Spain lead the group with 15 points from five wins, the latest a 2–0 victory over Czechia. England have 12 points and need a win at the Metropolitano to finish top on goal difference, while a draw will be enough for the hosts.
The rivalry goes back further than September’s meeting. Luis de la Fuente’s side beat England in the Euro 2024 final thanks to a late Mikel Oyarzabal goal and entered this Nations League campaign as reigning world champions as well.
