England aims to end Spain's 43-match unbeaten run in Madrid

England prepares to face a significant challenge in Madrid, where they will meet Spain in the final group stage match of the UEFA Nations League on Sunday, November 15. The fixture, scheduled for 7:45 pm GMT at the Metropolitano Stadium, offers the Three Lions a prime opportunity to avenge their earlier defeat and potentially disrupt the Iberian side's historic record of 43 consecutive matches without a loss.

The rivalry intensifies following the previous encounter on September 26 at Wembley Stadium, where Spain staged a dramatic comeback to win 3-2. That match saw Lamine Yamal score an early goal for the visitors, although England took a 2-1 lead at halftime thanks to strikes from Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane. Spain's Alex Baena equalized in the second half before Mikel Oyarzabal secured the victory in the 74th minute, denying the hosts a crucial win after their World Cup exit.

Both teams have already secured their places in the Nations League quarterfinals. Spain currently leads Group A3 with a perfect record of 15 points, while England sits in second with 12 points from five games. A draw or victory for Spain guarantees them top spot in the group, whereas England will finish second if they fail to defeat the two-time World Cup winners.

Manager Thomas Tuchel expressed confidence that his squad is ready to deliver a top performance to end the Spanish streak. He described the opponent as a team that has forgotten how to lose, noting that a win would provide a significant boost to England's morale. Tuchel emphasized the need to impose physical strength and maintain the attacking mindset displayed in their home games to push the limits of the team.

Conversely, Spain's head coach Luis de la Fuente highlighted how the unbeaten run serves as extra motivation for his players. He remarked that while reaching 35 unbeaten matches seemed astronomical, the current milestone of 43 games has inspired the squad to aim for even higher achievements. The coach stressed the desire to keep setting new milestones in the competition.

In terms of form, Spain has won all five of its recent matches, including a 4-1 rout of Croatia and a 3-1 victory over Czechia. England has won four of its last five games, suffering only the defeat to Spain. Their other results include a 7-0 thrashing of Croatia and a 3-0 home win against Czechia.

Team news indicates that Spain may field Lamine Yamal, who is expected to return after missing the last game with a knee problem. Nico Williams and Aymeric Laporte remain doubtful. For England, Myles Lewis-Skelly returns from suspension, and Ezri Konsa is expected to start after recovering from a knee injury. Djed Spence is a doubt due to a muscle issue, while Marc Guehi remains out.

Statistical models favor the hosts, with Opta's supercomputer predicting a 59.6 percent probability of a Spanish win. England's odds of victory stand at 19.3 percent, while there is a 21.1 percent chance of a draw. Historical head-to-head data shows England leads with 13 wins compared to Spain's 12, with four draws in 29 total meetings.

The match will be broadcast across various regions, including ITV1 in the United Kingdom and beIN SPORTS in the Middle East and North Africa. Fans can follow the build-up and live coverage through major sports networks worldwide as the two teams contest for group supremacy.