Thomas Tuchel says England are ready to end Spain’s 43-match unbeaten run

Thomas Tuchel believes England are prepared to defeat Spain when the teams meet in Madrid on Sunday and bring the world and European champions’ 43-game unbeaten run to an end.

The Nations League meeting will give Tuchel an opportunity to assess how far England have progressed against one of the strongest sides in international football. A victory would also improve England’s prospects of securing a more favourable draw in the Nations League quarter-finals in March.

Spain have become notoriously difficult to beat, but Tuchel is confident his players can rise to the challenge after England’s 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley.

“Spain are a team that have forgotten how to lose, so of course it requires a top performance first of all. If we can deliver this performance, it will give us a big boost,” Tuchel said.

“I think we’re there, and I think we’re ready to win on Sunday. I know what it takes, and no one can ever guarantee it, but I think it’s the moment to check how far we are and to push our limit and proof of concept,” he added.

England will also be seeking to respond to their 3-2 defeat by Spain at Wembley in September. Tuchel wants his team to retain the attacking approach they adopted in that fixture, while making full use of their physical qualities to unsettle the hosts.

“It’s important that we play with the same mindset that we played at home, and attack them and try to make it a physical game, and try to impose our strength,” he said.

The match is being played against the backdrop of previous incidents involving racist abuse directed at England players in Spain.

Ashley Cole and Shaun Wright-Phillips were targeted during a friendly in Madrid in 2004. Spain were also ordered to stage their next home friendly at reduced capacity after discriminatory chanting about Muslims during their match against Egypt in March.

Tuchel said England would not accept racism, but stressed that his players would remain focused on their performance.

“We will never accept racism. We will never be racist towards anyone,” he said.

The England manager added that officials were aware of the situation and that the appropriate protocol was in place.

“We will give our answers if stuff like this happens. Best answers are on the pitch.”