The Nations League Shows Its Worth For England

Last updated : 16 October 2018 By Three Lions

England's sensational 3-2 victory against Spain was all the more worthwhile for being a competitive fixture as three first-half goals stunned the Seville crowd and earned three Nations League points for the Three Lions that still leaves them in with a chance of topping their League A group.

And the new competition showed its true worth for Gareth Southgate and his team as it magnified their achievement in beating the 2010 World Cup winners on home soil.

If this had been a friendly international then the temptation to experiment would have been greater for both managers and the increased number of substitutions allowed would have drawn much of the tension away during a frantic second-half.

Make no mistake that the Spanish were desperate to finish the game with at least a draw after being ripped apart by England's pace and patience in the opening 45 minutes and the hosts threw everything at the visiting defence for every second until the referee called time.

The context of a group table, a trophy and 'relegation' meant this was a fixture that mattered, as shown by the reaction of the England players when that final whistle was blown.

Premier League managers may have shuddered at the sight of their players going hammer and tongs for a full 90 minutes but the Nations League (and England's performance) has provided an unexpected boost the international game at a time when it would normally have been experiencing a post-World Cup lull.