How Thomas Tuchel instilled winning England instinct to secure historic victory over Spain

Such a statement may feel bizarre given the visitors were at one stage 3-0 up with cruise control applied, before another Jarell Quansah error led to an Elliot Anderson red card, a penalty converted, and then a second goal back for a Spain team totally rejuvenated.

The reality, though, is that if England’s canter to a one-sided victory had continued as it was doing, Tuchel and his team would have far less to pore over as they unpick the headers and volleys at the end of this calendar year and the learning they can take from what still finished - by getting over the line 3-2 and topping the group - a hugely successful international break.

Tuchel had repeatedly described this affair as “a final” in the days leading up, but just as important as finishing top of the group and the potentially easier quarter-final opponent it could secure them in March was delivering a performance to provide encouragement that the Three Lions can indeed go toe-to-toe with the very best and avoid unforced errors in the process.

Great success: England

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OK, there was one such mistake: Quansah, at fault for Croatia’s goal at Wembley on Thursday, dawdling on the ball and conceding possession cheaply. England’s magnificent earlier work threatened to unravel at that point as the dominoes of the resultant red card, goal and second strike fell.

But then came the memories of the cavalry this summer, their resolute World Cup closing-it-out jobs against Mexico and then Norway and then the ugly attempt to do it all over again at the semi-final against Argentina. Instinct kicked in.

James Trafford getting the nod ahead of Jordan Pickford in the Spanish capital was a bold call, as was Ben White starting at right-back and Lewis Hall on the left, but all three were superb, as the head coach’s big decisions were wholly vindicated. The world champions’ unbeaten run was ended by England, the Spanish tasting defeat in Madrid for the first time in 39 years, since a certain Gary Lineker netted all four in a 4-2 England win.

Lamine Yamal posed England all sorts of questions from the right wing - a fabulous player - but did he cause them a wealth of problems? Aside from a simple assist for Spain’s second, no, not really. Hall was sturdy at left-back, just as England were all over the pitch.

Goalscorer: Ezri Konsa

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Their first-half display, after which point they led 1-0 through a Harry Kane penalty, was described by Roy Keane in ITV’s coverage as “perfect”. They had certainly all been on the same wavelength, their passing sequences all crisp. And in the second half, after those two quickfire goals shipped, the defensive equivalent of that joined-up thinking was visible from a team that looked like one.

The players involved in this Nations League group game represent many of the Champions League powerhouses and yet there was no hint of this being an unwanted match that disrupts the club football juggernaut and where there is a needless risk of injury. Not a bit of that. When Jude Bellingham’s number came up and he was substituted in the 83rd minute, presumably to keep Real Madrid happy, he looked angered not to be carrying on in a game that had just about everything. What’s more: it had the result that England craved. And expected.

“We knew we were going to beat them tonight,” said Declan Rice. Not only a thrilling night for England, it will also have taught them plenty about themselves. That is just as important.