Spain vs England: Thomas Tuchel Hands James Trafford the Gloves for Nations League Decider

Spain and England have confirmed identical 4-2-3-1 shapes for Sunday's UEFA Nations League A Group 3 meeting at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, with Thomas Tuchel handing James Trafford the goalkeeper's shirt in place of Jordan Pickford.

Luis de la Fuente's Spain line up in a 4-2-3-1, the same structure Tuchel has chosen for England. Both managers have gone with a double pivot behind a three-man attacking line and a lone centre-forward, setting up a midfield contest that will decide who controls the ball in Madrid.

The headline selection call belongs to Tuchel. Trafford starts in goal, with Pickford dropping to the bench. It is a significant vote of confidence in the younger keeper for a fixture England can win to top Group A3.

Tuchel's outfield selection reflects the same forward-thinking approach. Anthony Gordon starts in the attacking line, Declan Rice anchors the midfield, and Elliot Anderson joins him in the double pivot. Ben White is named in the back four.

Spain's XI includes Aymeric Laporte at the heart of the defence. De la Fuente has kept faith with the core of the side that won the European Championship, and the 4-2-3-1 gives Spain the extra passing option in central areas that has defined their recent tournament football.

With both teams in 4-2-3-1, the game will be decided in the two banks of four and the space between the lines. Spain's double pivot will look to circulate the ball and draw England's midfield out of shape; England's response will depend on how aggressively Rice and Anderson press the first pass.

Gordon's inclusion gives England a direct runner on the flank, while White's presence at right-back suggests Tuchel wants a defender comfortable stepping into midfield when England build. Laporte's positioning for Spain will be tested by England's runners in behind.

The match is a straight fight for top spot in Group A3. Spain, the reigning European champions, arrive as the benchmark side; England arrive with a manager who has already shown he is willing to make big calls. Trafford's selection is the clearest signal yet that Tuchel is picking on form and training evidence rather than reputation.

De la Fuente used his pre-match media duties to dismiss concerns over racism in Spanish football, saying: "What I'd tell you, and you can tell Thomas, is that in Spain, there's no racism." Tuchel had earlier confirmed that Cole Palmer's injury absences are preventing the Chelsea forward from impressing him, adding that Palmer "misses too many opportunities" to work with the national team.

Kick-off at the Metropolitano will show whether Tuchel's goalkeeper change and England's double pivot can disrupt Spain's control. The team that wins the midfield battle in these identical shapes will likely win the group.