The game in the southeastern city of Alicante featured two teams that will be under the spotlight at next year’s European Championship – with Spain bidding for a third consecutive European title and England hoping to build on its impressive run in qualifying.
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The result put an end to England’s 15-game unbeaten streak, which dated back to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Long-serving captain and Del Bosque favourite Iker Casillas is facing stiff competition from Manchester United keeper David de Gea. Statistically, Butland has the better of Hart, having played one game more, and Hodgson could well be intrigued to see how the young keeper fares against strong opposition with England.
“We did break through Spain and we did that on enough occasions but after that we let ourselves down a little bit”.
Fabian Delph was guilty of giving the ball away on several occasions and Raheem Sterling surrendered the ball in the build up to Mario’s stunning scissors kick.
“We know his character and we believe he is an important player”.
“Strangely the (first) goal we conceded was a Spanish counter-attack when we had good possession. He thrives on that and that gets his team-mates going as well”, Rooney was cited by the British media on Friday.
“We must be very proud of the top sportspeople we have, and Casillas is one of the first of them”, he said.
Twelve minutes after Mario volleyed Spain ahead, Cazorla wrapped up the win for the hosts with a curling shot that went in off a post.
It may only be a friendly worldwide, but tonight’s game against Spain is of far greater importance than the most recent matches Roy Hodgson’s team faced, with the Euro 2012 champions likely to give a thorough grilling of England’s abilities.
Spain will be without Real Madrid midfielder Isco for the two matches after he withdrew from the squad due to “muscle fatigue”, the team said on their official website (www.sefutbol.com) later on Wednesday. I strongly believe that’s why they became champions.
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“We defended well and were strong against a team who were, once again, were very strong and very threatening”.
