England’s former meetings with Spain
As the nation celebrates the success of the England team against the Netherlands in Dortmund, we take a look at their past meetings with Spain ahead of Sunday’s final.
Two of Europe’s most storied footballing nations, England and Spain have met a total of 27 times including their first encounter in Madrid in 1929 when Spain beat England by four goals to three in an international friendly. Two years later England showed their might in another international friendly, thrashing Spain in a 7-1 drubbing which remains one of Spain’s heaviest defeats to date.
Post-war period and competitive balance
The rivalry between the two teams grew more balanced in the post-World War II era when their matches were characterised by intense competition, reflecting the evolving nature of both sides. One notable match was their 1950 FIFA World Cup clash in Brazil, when Spain won 1-0, progressing to the final group stage while sending the Three Lions home. This victory was significant as it marked Spain’s growing prowess on the international stage, although their next encounters, both friendlies, resulted in first a 1-1 draw and then a 4-1 victory to England.
The 1960s to 1980s: Tactical battles and iconic moments
The 1960s to the 1980s brought several memorable encounters including seven international friendlies, which were anything but friendly, often marked by tactical battles and very physical play, in which England were the dominant side with five wins over Spain’s two.
In the 1968 UEFA European Championship quarter-finals at Wembley, England defeated Spain 3-1 on aggregate, showcasing their tactical superiority under manager Alf Ramsey. England went on to play Yugoslavia who beat them 1-0, but the Three Lions clawed back some dignity in the third place play-offs, beating the Soviet Union 2-0.
One of the most iconic matches during this era was a friendly in February 1967, where England triumphed 2-0 in Madrid. This match is often remembered for the outstanding performances by England’s World Cup-winning squad of 1966, which included legends like Bobby Charlton and Geoff Hurst.
The 1990s: A shift in momentum
The 1990s saw a shift in momentum with Spain beginning to assert more dominance over our boys. Undoubtedly, the two teams’ most memorable encounter was in the UEFA 1996 European Championships, held in England. The same tournament saw the Three Lions beat the Netherlands in the two teams’ most iconic pairing.
England and Spain met in a mostly lack-lustre quarter-final clash that ended 0-0 after extra time, a score due in no small measure to some exceptional saves by legendary keeper David Seaman. Alan Shearer, David Platt, Stuart Pearce and Paul Gascoigne each found the back of the net to see England win 4-2 on penalties in what was a dramatic and tense encounter, memorable in particular for Stuart Pearce’s celebratory salute, bringing the crowd to their feet as he wiped out the painful memory of his miss in the 1990 World Cup semi-finals.
The 2000s: Spain’s golden era
Spain dominated the 2000s with their transformation into a footballing powerhouse, winning two UEFA European Championships in 2008 and 2012, and the 2010 World Cup. Their encounters with England during this era, all international friendlies, were indicative of their superior form.
In 2009, Spain defeated England 2-0 in a friendly in Seville, showcasing their ‘tiki-taka’ style of play that became synonymous with their success. Another notable friendly took place in November 2011, when England secured a 1-0 victory at Wembley, a rare bright spot against the dominant Spanish side, thanks to a goal by Frank Lampard.
Recent years: Renewed competitiveness
In recent years, the ever-evolving rivalry has continued with both teams undergoing transitions. A thrilling encounter took place in the 2010 UEFA Nations League which saw England defeat Spain 3-2 in Seville, a match which was significant as it marked England’s resurgence under manager Gareth Southgate, featuring young talents like Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford.
Spain and England’s past encounters have, overall, been quite evenly matched with 14 wins for England, ten for Spain and three draws. Spain have scored 35 times against us, while we’ve notched up 45 goals, not including those 1996 Euro penalties.
In the last decade, Spain has dominated with five wins over England’s two and one draw.
Sunday night will be the first time in six years that the two teams have come together and, if their past history is anything to go by, we are in for a nail-biting 90 minutes. Please don’t take us to penalties again boys! Our hearts won’t take it.
Come on England!
