England’s record against top-10 sides in focus before Spain match

England host Spain at Wembley on Saturday in their opening Nations League match, with their results against highly ranked opponents in focus after a World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina. [1]

BBC Sport counts six England wins in their past 15 matches against sides it identifies as being in Fifa’s top 10. Three came at major tournaments: European Championship semi-finals against Denmark in 2021 and the Netherlands in 2024, and this summer’s World Cup third-place match against France. [1]

In World Cup knockout matches against top-10 sides since 1998, England have been eliminated seven times in seven, BBC Sport says. That is a different measure from its count of their past 10 World Cup games against top-10 opponents, which includes one win: against Argentina in the 2002 group stage. [1]

In a BBC Radio 5 Live interview reported by BBC Sport on 26 September, England striker Harry Kane said the side should remain true to its approach in big moments. He suggested they may have tried not to lose during the final 30 minutes against Argentina. In accompanying analysis, BBC football reporter Alex Howell argued that England have struggled to turn their talent into possession and control against elite opponents. [1]