Spain seeks the historic treble; England, its first rival

Spain, champion of the Euro and the World Cup, has set as its main goal to win the Nations League, and its first challenge will be England at Wembley tomorrow Saturday at 20.45, a match that opens the group stage of the competition.

Goal of the historic treble

After being crowned champion of the Euro and the World Cup, the Spanish national team has set as its main objective to win the Nations League, thus completing a treble of titles that has never been achieved consecutively. To date, no team from the continental territory has accomplished this feat, which would make the success an unprecedented event. Luis de la Fuente's soldiers are more than capable – and prepared – to write a new chapter in football history.

Spain had already tasted the Nations League title in the 2022‑2023 season, defeating Luka Modrić's Croatia in the final via penalties (0‑0, 5‑4). Two years later, in 2025, the team finished as runner‑up after losing the final against England.

Nations League schedule

The schedule for the initial phase includes four matches. Spain will face Croatia on September 29 and again on October 6, will host the Czech Republic on October 3, and will close the round against England at Wembley tomorrow Saturday at 20.45.

The clash against England will be the first since the historic Spanish victory in Berlin, where Nico Williams and Mikel Oyarzabal scored to claim the fourth Euro in history. That match, the twenty‑eighth between the two sides, left La Roja with 11 wins compared to the Three Lions' 14, with three draws since the first encounter in 1929. With that win, Spain narrowed the gap and drew closer to England's record, which leads with fourteen victories to eleven.

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Luis de la Fuente will seek his third consecutive visit to Wembley, after the wins in the 1981 friendly (1‑2) and in the 2018‑2019 Nations League group stage (1‑2). The coach omitted Dani Carvajal, Álvaro Morata and Robin Le Normand, who were not called up for the match. De la Fuente has emphasized the physical and tactical preparation of the squad to face the challenge on English soil.

Projected lineup against England

In goal, Unai Simón will be the 'lifesaver' between the posts.

The defence will be completed by Marc Cucurella, Aymeric Laporte, Pau Cubarsí and Eric García, although Marc Pubill could also be added.

In midfield, Rodrigo Hernández, Fabián Ruiz and Dani Olmo will operate, the latter slightly more advanced and flanked by Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal on the wing.

Mikel Oyarzabal, the top scorer of the last World Cup with five goals, will lead the attack.

The English side, coached by Thomas Tuchel, arrives thirsty for revenge after losing 2‑1 to Argentina in the semifinals and aiming to repeat the World title final against Spain. The match, played in one of the biggest temples of continental football, symbolizes the clash between the Premier League and LaLiga, the two most competitive national leagues. The encounter will also be a showcase for emerging talents from both teams, such as Lamine Yamal and the young English players.