Declan Rice reveals bold England prediction that came true in stunning Spain victory

Detailed summary

Arsenal star played crucial role in historic Nations League win

Declan Rice has claimed England “knew” they would beat world champions Spain.

The Three Lions finished top of their Nations League group ahead of the Spanish on Sunday with a stunning 3-2 win over the world champions.

After goals from Harry Kane, Ezri Konsa and Ben White put the visitors three goals up, Elliot Anderson was sent off and the hosts made their way back to within one. But England held on for victory to overtake their hosts in the group.

Following the game, the Arsenal midfielder spoke about the confidence his side will take from their victory and claimed Thomas Tuchel’s team knew they were going to claim all three points in Madrid.

“The message from the manager after the Croatia game has been so positive. The first 10 minutes was the best we’ve played. Pressure, pressure. Overall, 10 men for half an hour, winning 3-2 against a team unbeaten in 43 [matches] is massive.”

Rice added: “Argentina that day [in the World Cup semi-finals] wasn’t meant to be. That’s football.

“When they [Spain] got a second [goal], maybe it could have gone another way. It’s a massive win. Everything happened so quickly [at the end], so for him [James Trafford] to make two in the space of two seconds is massive.”

England, as group winners, will have a favourable draw for the quarter-finals of the Nations League, and they will find out their opponents on Friday.

They will face a runner-up from one of the other three ‘Group A’ tables.

Opening of the article, excerpted from Evening Standard. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.