Spain advances to the quarterfinals of the Nations League as second in Group A3. The 2-3 loss to England at the Metropolitano leaves the national team without top spot, although it keeps intact its qualification for the next round, which it had already secured before the match.
Spain’s next appointment in this competition will be in March 2027. Before that, the draw will take place: on Friday, 20 November, at 12:00, Spanish peninsula time, the matchup that will decide whether Luis de la Fuente’s team reaches the final phase will be defined.
Finishing second has two specific consequences. Spain will face a champion from another group and will play the first leg at home. The second leg, in which the tie will be decided, will be at its rival’s ground.
What position does Spain end up in after losing to England
Spain closes the group stage with 15 points, after five wins and one loss. England also reaches 15 and takes first place, while the Spanish team advances as second.
Luis de la Fuente’s team needed to pick up points at the Metropolitano in order to retain top spot. The final response, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Nico Williams, brought that goal closer, but it was not enough to make up for England’s three goals.
The defeat changes the conditions of the quarterfinal matchup, not Spain’s continuation in the tournament. The top two from each group of League A qualify for that round.
When Spain plays again in the Nations League
The quarterfinals are scheduled for the window from 25 to 30 March 2027. Spain will play two matches against the same selection, one at home and the other away.
The general schedule makes it possible to place the tie, but the specific opponent, kickoff times, and stadiums are still missing. Those details will complete the national team’s agenda once the draw is resolved and the match schedule is published.
The following table lists the announced dates for the next phases of the competition.
| Date | Date | What it means for Spain |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter-final draw | November 20, 2026, at 12:00 | It will determine their opponent, a first-place team from another group. |
| Quarter-finals | From March 25 to March 30, 2027 | Two-legged tie. Spain will play first at home and then away. |
| Final phase | From June 9 to June 13, 2027 | Spain will take part if they go through the quarter-finals. |
Source: calendar and regulations of the UEFA Nations League 2026-2027. Draw time in peninsular Spain. Opponent, schedules, and venues of Spain’s matches pending confirmation.
Who Spain can play in the quarter-finals
Spain will be paired with a team that finishes first in another group of League A. The regulations separate the champions and the runners-up and prevent them from facing each other again in the quarter-finals for two teams coming from the same group.
That rules out England as an opponent in this round. The Spanish team will have to wait until the other groups close and for the draw to find out their opponent.
This is not a bracket fixed in advance in which the second of group A3 is automatically matched with the first of a specific other group. The pairing will be determined by the UEFA draw.
Why Spain will play the second leg away from home
The second place forces Spain to open the tie as the home team. The group winners have the return leg reserved at their own ground, according to the format established for the quarter-finals.
The tie will be decided by the aggregate score of the two matches. Winning the first match will not guarantee qualification, just as an initial loss will not eliminate any team.
The four winners will advance to the final phase. There, the semi-finals and the final will be played as a single match.
From 0-3 to a comeback that fell short by a goal
Spain ended up losing by three goals against England. Harry Kane opened the scoring from the penalty spot, Ezri Konsa extended the advantage, and Ben White signed the third before the Spanish team reacted.
The action that changed the final stretch came with a run into the box by Lamine Yamal. The penalty committed on the winger and the sending off of Elliot Anderson allowed Spain to reduce the deficit through Oyarzabal and take on the rest of the match with a numerical advantage.
Nico Williams then scored the 2-3 following an assist from Lamine. The team sought an equalizer until the end, but England held onto the advantage and took first place in the group.
The next step for Spain will be to know its round on November 20. The two March matches will decide whether it is again among the four teams that will contest the title.