England penetrated Spain’s defence but lacked precision in the Nations League defeat
England repeatedly reached Spain’s penalty area in their Nations League match at Wembley, recording 36 touches there, but struggled to turn that pressure into clear chances. The figures suggest Thomas Tuchel’s side made unusual headway against one of international football’s strongest teams, yet Spain’s greater precision in the box proved decisive.
Since records began at Euro 2016, only Germany and France have recorded more penalty-area touches against Spain in a match, though both created more expected goals than England’s 0.95. England averaged 5.1 touches in the box per shot from there; Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon often passed away from goal, while Spain created five shots in the box worth at least 0.26 expected goals, compared with one for England, excluding the penalty. Spain had only 15 box touches, but used through balls and passes into the area to create high-value chances.
- England reached Spain’s box often but created few clear chances.
- Spain’s sharper finishing and passing made their limited box entries count.
- England recorded 36 box touches; Spain had 15.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
England's performance merits considerable credit. Penetrating Spain's defence 36 times, matching output from only Germany and France since 2016, demonstrates genuine tactical success against one of international football's finest defensive units. The team executed an effective gameplan and created numerous opportunities in dangerous areas. The primary issue was execution and clinical finishing in the final third, not strategic failure.
The case against
Football is decided by goals, not touches. England's output of 0.95 expected goals from 36 box touches, averaging 5.1 touches per shot, reveals either poor decision-making or inadequate finishing quality. Spain created genuine high-value chances from just 15 touches, demonstrating superior efficiency and precision where it matters most. England's profligacy cost them the match against opponents who proved more clinical and decisive.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Data shows England made inroads against Spain but they must be more clinical | Andrew Beasley”.