Spain Seeks Qualification Ahead of Injured Croatia in Nations League
Spain, the world champions, are looking to extend their winning streak and secure their place in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals when they travel to face a wounded Croatia tomorrow. Meanwhile, Harry Kane will be on the verge of equalling Peter Shilton’s record for the most appearances for the England national team.
Spain emerged victorious from their first three matches in Group 3 of League A, including a 3-2 win over England at Wembley on September 26. This result places them at the top of the table with nine points, compared to six points for Kane and his teammates, the Three Lions.
Under manager Luis de la Fuente, Spain has extended their consecutive wins to ten and maintained an unbeaten record in their 41st consecutive match, further strengthening their existing record.
In their last match against the Czech Republic, which they won 3-1 in Oviedo, captain Rodri scored his first goal for the national team in over two years.
After scoring in the first two minutes against England and Croatia (4-1), Lamine Yamal continued his early scoring form, netting against the Czech Republic in the sixth minute.
Spain faces Croatia in Split in the most unfavorable circumstances, following a humiliating 7-0 defeat at home to England in the previous round, which prompted veteran captain Luka Modric to express deep frustration.
At Wembley Stadium against the Czech Republic, Harry Kane will have the opportunity to equal the record for the most caps for England, held by former goalkeeper Peter Shilton (125 caps between 1970 and 1990).
Kane began his international career with the Three Lions against Lithuania in 2015, scoring just two minutes after coming on as a substitute in that match. Since then, he has rarely experienced goal droughts while wearing the England shirt.
The 33-year-old player holds the record for the most goals scored for his country (89), with his latest being a brace in a dominant victory over Croatia.
The Bayern Munich star has served as an inspirational leader and a key pillar for the national team through periods of success and failure over the past 11 years.
Roy Hodgson gave Kane his first international cap for England, after which the striker played under the management of Sam Allardyce, Gareth Southgate, Lee Carsley, and now German coach Thomas Tuchel.
However, even the presence of a player with Kane’s exceptional goal-scoring instinct and remarkable consistency has not been enough to end England’s long and painful wait for their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup. England lost the European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024.
Tuchel believes that Kane needs support from a standout midfielder if he wants to follow in the footsteps of Bobby Moore, the only English captain to lift a major trophy with the national team. This comes after Jude Bellingham’s outstanding performance against Croatia on Saturday, which earned him widespread praise from teammates and analysts.
After being threatened with absence from the World Cup following his omission from England’s squad in October 2025, the Real Madrid star has shifted from Tuchel’s disfavor to becoming the preferred star over the past 12 months.
