Key events
The whole row seems to be manufactured as England have played three times in Spain without incident since 2004. Nonetheless, Luis de la Fuente’s claim that “there is no racism in Spain” seems pretty ridiculous after Spain’s football federation were fined for discriminatory chants about Muslims during their game against Egypt in March. That’s before we mention the racism that La Liga stars Vinícius Júnior and Lamine Yamal have publicly spoken out about over the years.
Luis de la Fuente has insisted that is no racism in Spain in response to Thomas Tuchel’s comments about anti-racism protocol. This evening’s game at the Metropolitano will be the first time England and Spain play against each other in Madrid since some of England’s black players were subjected to racist abuse at the Santiago Bernabéu in 2004. When asked about this incident, Tuchel said that England “will not expect anything [untoward]” to happen today. He added: “Maybe we take our five minutes to inform the players about the protocol if there is a precedent.”
Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal did not join the Spain squad in Prague for their 2-0 win over Czechia on Thursday. According to Spain’s manager Luis de la Fuente, Lamine Yamal was omitted due to some discomfort in his knee. But that didn’t stop Spanish media outlets from arguing that the Barcelona winger was receiving preferential treatment. Read Sid Lowe’s report about the club v country debate here.
Harry Kane also described today’s game as “the perfect opportunity to prove ourselves.” The Ballon d’Or winner has proved himself repeatedly and will need to do the same against a Spain side that will surely welcome the Kopa award winner Lamine Yamal back to the squad.
By my standards it was an average World Cup. France was probably my best game, Congo I played really well; some of the other games I didn’t play too well but you look back … I played 69 games [in the season].
A title win with Arsenal, a Champions League final loss and into a World Cup. It’s annoying because at the World Cup you want to be at your best, you want to be totally fresh, you want to be ready. It’s annoying that I couldn’t perform how I did at Arsenal towards the back end of the season.
But knowing if I’m not going to be at my best, just constantly give 100% for this team, for the badge and you could see that. I loved [the last-16 win in] Mexico. We had the disappointment of Argentina in the semi-final, the second group game against Ghana. It’s games you look back on and think: ‘Could I have done better?
One of the players who will be most keen to impress is Declan Rice. After an “average” World Cup, he took some time out to return stronger for club and country. Read David Hytner’s piece here.
Turning our attention back to the Nations League, England play Spain at 7:45pm. It’s an important game for England, who feel as though they have something to prove after their World Cup semi-final exit against Argentina and their 3-2 defeat against Spain two months ago. What will the score be today? Email me with your predictions.
The tables have turned heading into today’s game at The Emirates. Arsenal have won all seven of their meetings with London City Lionesses in all competitions, scoring 22 and conceding only one. Despite that, the home side languish three places and six points behind an impressive London City Lionesses side this season. Who do you think will win today’s game?
Today’s WSL fixtures
We have a huge derby day today. John Brewin will provide you with minute-by-minute coverage of Arsenal v London City Lionesses at 4:30pm.
Yesterday’s WSL results
Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu said that his side could “become the world’s best” at future World Cups after they beat Brazil 3-2 in a friendly. Japan went 2-0 up before Vinícius Júnior brought things level with a brace. A late goal from Tatsuhiro Sakamoto gave Japan the victory and enraged Carlo Ancelotti and Raphinha in the process, with both individuals receiving red cards as they protested against the goal. Read the roundup from yesterday’s friendlies here.
Away from the Nations League, there was a huge game between Chelsea and Manchester City in the Women’s Super League yesterday. A belter from Sandy Baltimore saw Sonia Bompastor’s side leapfrog last year’s WSL champions in the table. Read Suzanne Wrack’s match report here.
Today’s Nations League fixtures
Belgium v Italy
France v Turkey
Croatia v Czechia
Spain v England
Belarus v Albania
Finland v San Marino
Cyprus v Montenegro
Latvia v Armenia
Elsewhere, Jamaica pulled off a historic upset, beating Mexico 3-2 in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final. The home side led 3-0 midway through the second half before Mexico clawed two goals back through Gilberto Mora and Julián Quiñones. Mexico are winless in five games, under new manager Rafael Márquez, with Jamaica needing a draw to advance to the next stage of the competition.
Fernandes says Portugal thrashing was ‘a night of learning’
There are no nights to forget; it was a night of learning, of seeing the mistakes we made. Denmark were also very clinical – they scored from the chances they had and it was a match where things ultimately went wrong for us.
Portugal suffered a huge defeat against Denmark in their first game back after Cristiano Ronaldo announced his retirement from international football. Rasmus Højlund scored a brace as Denmark eased their way to victory to a chorus of boos in Estadio Municipal. Read the full match report and roundup from the rest of the games here.
Yesterday’s Nations League results
Norway 3-1 Wales
Portugal 1-4 Denmark
Georgia 0-2 Hungary
Northern Ireland 1-0 Ukraine
Kosovo 0-0 Israel
Austria 1-0 Republic of Ireland
Romania 2-1 Poland
Sweden 3-2 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Preamble
Hello and welcome to matchday live!
We have another big day of Nations League action after Norway overpowered Wales 3-1, Northern Ireland beat Ukraine 1-0 and Austria edged out Republic of Ireland 1-0 in yesterday’s fixtures.
Today, England have the chance to finish top of their Nations League group if they can beat the world champions Spain. If Spain’s 3-2 victory over England in September is anything to go by, we’re in for a treat this evening. Defensive errors ultimately cost England in that game so they will need to be almost flawless to end Spain’s 43-match unbeaten run.
Elsewhere, Chelsea beat Manchester City 1-0 in the Women’s Super League yesterday to go top of the table. There are three more WSL games this afternoon, including Arsenal v London City Lionesses.
All of that and more to come. Stay tuned for updates.
