Rice: We knew we could beat Spain; winning with 10 men is a huge achievement

England beat Spain 3-2 away from home on Matchday 6 of UEFA Nations League A, ending the hosts’ 43-match unbeaten run in all competitions. Speaking to the media after the match, England midfielder Declan Rice discussed the team’s confidence heading into the game, how they responded after being reduced to 10 men, a similar experience against Argentina, and goalkeeper James Trafford’s crucial late save.

Reporter: Taking everything into account—Spain being the World Champion and their 43-match unbeaten run having just ended—is this the best moment you’ve experienced in an England shirt?

Declan Rice: Yes, absolutely. We knew we could beat them. We knew we could win tonight. After facing Croatia, the boss’s message was consistently positive, and that was reflected in the players’ attitude. Everyone was united and determined to push forward. We knew we hadn’t come here just to sit back and try to hit them on the counter.

We knew it from the very 1st minute. Our opening 10 minutes were probably our best spell of the match. We pressed, pressed and pressed again, and could easily have scored 2 or 3 goals. The red card changed the course of the game because, to be honest, we could easily have scored a few more.

Reporter: In what sense?

Rice: If we hadn’t gone down to 10 men, I think we would have had more possession. They would have pressed harder, giving us more space and allowing our attacking players to really express themselves, as they did in the 2nd half. So, yes, overall, I think beating a team like that 3-2 after playing with 10 men for half an hour and ending their 43-match unbeaten run, as you said, is a huge achievement.

Reporter: Did this, in a way, remind you of the match against Argentina—having to dig in, withstand the pressure to hold on to the lead, and make the right substitutions?

Declan Rice: Yes, of course. But look, that's football. That day against Argentina just wasn't our day. Sometimes football is like that, you know? These things happen. The situation can change in an instant, and the tide can turn at any moment.

When they scored their 2nd goal, with all the pressure they were putting us under, there was a moment when you really thought they might turn the game around. But we showed grit and resilience in our defending and kept glancing at the clock on the big screen, knowing there wasn’t much time left. We kept giving everything we had, leaving absolutely nothing out there, for the badge, the team, our teammates and the manager. Yes, it was a massive win, and everyone deserves credit.

Reporter: And James Trafford made 2 saves near the end.

Declan Rice: Yes, absolutely crucial. It all happened so quickly, in the blink of an eye. For him to make 2 saves in the space of 2 seconds was just incredible. It was a great night for him. Overall, it was unbelievable.