James Trafford Calls on England to Respond After Spain Defeat

James Trafford has urged England to turn their attacking promise into a response in Prague after a 3-2 UEFA Nations League defeat by Spain at Wembley.

Match and next-fixture board

The Burnley goalkeeper was beaten three times as Spain took the points through Lamine Yamal, Alex Baena and Mikel Oyarzabal. England had briefly seized control after Yamal’s opening goal, with Gordon and Kane scoring in quick succession to put Thomas Tuchel’s team ahead before the interval.

Baena and Oyarzabal then struck after the break to overturn England’s lead and leave the hosts defeated in their opening match of the new Nations League campaign.

Trafford nevertheless took encouragement from England’s willingness to play on the front foot against one of the game’s leading international sides. He insisted the display showed there is no major divide between the Three Lions and the teams above them in the rankings.

“We played with real good intensity,” Trafford said. “We showed a lot of bravery. I wouldn’t say there’s much difference between us and the teams above us in the rankings. We’re obviously a really top team, and we show it every time we play.”

The goalkeeper accepted that England must address the defensive moments that allowed Spain back into the contest, particularly when the flow of a match changes between two high-level opponents.

“It’s obviously that we just have to stop the goals,” he said. “Like it’s a reality. Whenever you concede a goal, you’ve got to stop the goal, and it’s something that we’ll review. We’re full of top players, and we’re only getting better.”

England will now review the Wembley defeat before travelling to Czechia on Tuesday, when Tuchel’s side seek their first win of the group. Trafford is aiming to retain the goalkeeper’s shirt for the away trip.

Spain, meanwhile, head to Seville to play Croatia on the same night.