Spain Euro 2024Getty Images
Abhinav Sharma

What is England's record vs Spain? Three Lions head-to-head stats against La Roja

GOAL brings to you the all time head to head stats between Spain and England.

For many years, the Three Lions and La Roja were both seen as perennial underachievers.

Spain finally broke their 44-year dry spell by clinching victory at Euro 2008. This marked their second European Championship, the first being in 1964.

They then embarked on an extraordinary run of dominance, winning the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, cementing their place in football history with an unprecedented four-year reign.

In stark contrast, England have never lifted the men's Euros trophy. They notably made it to the finals in consecutive tournaments, falling just short in both the 2020 and 2024 European Championships.

Here, GOAL takes a deep dive into the head-to-head record and previous meetings between the two sides.

  • Eric Dier Sergio Ramos England Spain 151018

    What is England's overall record vs Spain?

    From 27 previous head-to-heads, England hold the upper hand over Spain, having won 14, drawn three and lost 11 of their encounters against La Roja.

    Matches between the two nations have been rare in recent years, with the Euro 2024 final being their first encounter in over six years.

    Since the turn of the millennium, La Roja have often had England's number, losing just three of their ten games, although all but three of those fixtures were friendlies.

    Total meetings

    28

    Spain wins

    11

    Draw

    3

    England wins

    14

    • Advertisement

  • England vs Spain head-to-head results list

    DateResultCompetition
    Jul 14, 2024Spain 2-1 EnglandEuropean Championship final
    Oct 15, 2018Spain 2-3 EnglandNations League League Phase
    Sep 08, 2018England 1-2 SpainNations League League Phase
    Nov 15, 2016England 2-2 SpainInternational Friendly
    Nov 13, 2015Spain 2-0 EnglandInternational Friendly
    Nov 12, 2011England 1-0 SpainInternational Friendly
    Feb 11, 2009Spain 2-0 EnglandInternational Friendly
    Feb 7, 2007England 0-1 SpainInternational Friendly
    Nov 17, 2004Spain 1-0 EnglandInternational Friendly
    Feb 28, 2001England 3-0 SpainInternational Friendly
    Jun 22, 1996England 0-0 Spain (4-2 pens)European Championships Quarter-Final
    Sep 9, 1992Spain 1-0 EnglandInternational Friendly
    Feb 18, 1987Spain 2-4 EnglandInternational Friendly
    Jul 5, 1982Spain 0-0 EnglandWorld Cup Group Stage
    Mar 25, 1981England 1-2 SpainInternational Friendly
    Jun 18, 1980England 2-1 SpainEuropean Championships Group Stage
    Mar 26, 1980Spain 0-2 EnglandInternational Friendly
    May 8, 1968Spain 1-2 EnglandEuropean Championships Qualifying Quarter-Final
    Apr 3, 1968England 1-0 SpainEuropean Championships Qualifying Quarter-Final
    May 24, 1967England 2-0 SpainInternational Friendly
    Dec 8, 1965Spain 0-2 EnglandInternational Friendly
    Oct 26, 1960England 4-2 SpainInternational Friendly
    Nov 30, 1955England 4-1 SpainInternational Friendly
    May 18, 1955Spain 1-1 EnglandInternational Friendly
    Jul 02, 1950Spain 1-0 EnglandFIFA World Cup
    Dec 09, 1931England 7-1 SpainInternational Friendly
    May 15, 1929Spain 4-3 EnglandInternational Friendly
  • Alvaro Morata Spain Euro 2024Getty

    When was the last meeting between England and Spain?

    The last meeting between the two sides was the Euro 2024 final on Sunday, July 14, 2024. The two sides battled it out for European supremacy at the Olympiastadion in Berlin in what was the biggest men's international game played between the two nations.

    Spain won their record fourth European Championship title thanks to an 86th-minute goal from Mikel Oyarzabal. Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal starred for La Roja throughout that tournament, with the former scoring early in the first half of the final in Berlin.

    Cole Palmer entered the fray as a substitute when Gareth Southgate took a gamble to turn the tide. Palmer levelled the score with a brilliant shot from the edge of the box. However, Oyarzabal delivered a late blow to the England supporters, extending the 58-year barren run without major tournament success.

  • Raheem Sterling goal vs SpainGetty

    When did England last beat Spain?

    Gareth Southgate's charges came away with the bragging rights in a UEFA Nations League encounter on October 15, 2018.

    Raheem Sterling was the star of the show for England, who ended a 31-year wait for a win away in Spain with this memorable 3-2 victory. The then Manchester City winger ended his three-year goal drought with a fine brace in Seville before Marcus Rashford moved Gareth Southgate's side into a 3-0 lead.

    La Roja would make the scoreline more respectable in the second half with a goal apiece from Paco Alcacer and Sergio Ramos, as England took revenge for their defeat a month earlier in what was their first win in Spain since February 1987.

    England would progress to the inaugural Nations League finals, and after a 3-1 extra-time defeat to the Netherlands, they clinched a third-place finish with a 6-5 penalty shoot-out success over Switzerland.

  • What was England's biggest win against Spain?

    England's biggest win against Spain was on December 9, 1931, as they thrashed La Roja 7-1 at Highbury, London in an international friendly match. Jack Smith, Tommy Johnson, and Sammy Crooks each scored two goals, leading the charge for England. Guillermo Gorostiza scored the lone consolation goal for Spain in what was a humiliating defeat for the visitors.

  • What was England's biggest defeat against Spain?

    England's biggest defeat against Spain came on May 15, 1960, as they were outclassed 3-0 by La Roja at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid in an international friendly match, with Eulogio Martinez bagging a brace and Joaquin Peiro finding the back of the net in the first-half.