10-man England survived a late Spain fightback to win 3-2 in Madrid on Sunday, ending the world champions’ 43-match unbeaten run. It was also Spain’s first home defeat in four years, since a 2-1 loss to Switzerland in September 2022.

Harry Kane’s penalty, Ezri Konsa and Ben White put England 3-0 up before Elliot Anderson was sent off. Mikel Oyarzabal’s penalty and a Nico Williams strike then set up a tense finish.

Before kick-off, former Spain players Fernando Torres, Fernando Llorente and Iker Casillas laid wreaths in memory of Jesus de Miguel, who died a fortnight ago.

Thomas Tuchel had said his side were ready to test a team that had forgotten how to lose. England started like a team who believed him. Declan Rice’s early corner fell to Jude Bellingham, and Unai Simon made a sharp reaction save. Anthony Gordon’s follow-up was blocked by a defender’s leg, and appeals for handball brought no review.

They had 69 per cent of the ball after 10 minutes, with 98 per cent pass accuracy and four shots. Kane’s effort from the left just evaded the far post. Spain, who had made six changes from midweek, looked second best.

Spain slowly tightened up. Rice was booked for a tackle from behind on Lamine Yamal, and the free kick came to nothing. Marc Pubill went off injured on 21 minutes to a warm ovation, replaced by Pedro Porro.

Lewis Hall, a left-back, danced into the box and set up a corner, from which Kane headed just wide. Bellingham later hit the side netting after a run, though the move looked marginally offside. Simon again denied Gordon and Morgan Rogers before the break.

The decisive moment came just before half-time. Anderson played the ball forward for Kane, who ran into the box and was brought down by Pau Cubarsi as he tried to shoot. VAR checked an earlier tangle between Anderson and Marc Cucurella and let the penalty stand.

Kane drove his spot-kick into the right-hand side past Simon, his 93rd England goal. England went in 1-0 up, having been the better side. Spain responded by replacing Cubarsi, Mikel Merino and Fabian Ruiz with Dean Huijsen, Pedri and Fermin Lopez.

England extended their lead in the 53rd minute. Rice swung in a corner from the right, and an unmarked Konsa timed his run to head past Simon. Cucurella had just been booked for tripping Rogers, and Spain were in real trouble.

Five minutes later it was three. Bellingham surged down the right and slipped the ball ahead for White, who placed a shot inside the near post. The visitors had led the last two games against top-ranked opposition and lost both, but this looked safe.

It was not. In the 63rd minute Jarell Quansah lost the ball outside the box and Yamal ran in. Anderson tugged and made a late challenge, and the referee pointed to the spot and showed a red card. VAR confirmed the decision.

Oyarzabal buried the penalty in the bottom-right corner on 65 minutes. Alex Baena was booked for simulation soon afterwards, and Nico Williams came on for Martin Zubimendi, Spain’s final change. James Trafford then kept out a Lopez effort after a scramble.

Williams made an instant impact in the 75th minute. Pedri won the ball from Gordon at halfway and Yamal sent him through, and Williams’ shot struck the right post and went in. Spain now needed one more goal and had the momentum.

Tuchel responded by replacing Kane with Myles Lewis-Skelly to shore up the defence. Trafford then dived to his right to stop a Yamal curler, and Spain’s corner was cleared. Bellingham and Gordon made way for Djed Spence and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Porro headed wide from Williams’ chip, and Burn replaced White in a like-for-like change. England had been overrun since the red card, but four minutes of stoppage time found them defending in numbers.

In the 92nd minute Trafford produced a double save at close range to deny both Lopez and Yamal. The final whistle brought wild celebrations among England’s players, who had won in Spain with 10 men.

Spain had also beaten England 3-2 at Wembley in September, so this was a measure of revenge. England’s last win in Spain was another 3-2 in the Nations League in October 2018. The result leaves them level on 15 points with Spain in Group A3.