Spain return to the international stage in England on Saturday night with two Paris Saint-Germain players handed prominent roles in Luis de la Fuente’s opening Nations League selection. Ferran Torres will lead the line, while Fabian Ruiz takes his place in a midfield that has already delivered on the biggest occasion.
Spain begin Nations League campaign in England
- Spain face England at 20:45 on Saturday in the first round of the Nations League, their first fixture since becoming world champions.
- De la Fuente has selected Ferran Torres from the start after the forward’s strong adaptation following his summer arrival in Paris from Barcelona.
- Torres is expected to operate as the central striker, in the role more commonly occupied by Mikel Oyarzabal.
- Fabian Ruiz will start in midfield beside Rodri and Dani Olmo.
- The same three midfielders featured in Spain’s World Cup final victory over Argentina on 19 July, when Spain won 1-0 after extra time.
Yamal and Williams reunited on the wings
Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams have both been named in the starting XI, bringing the pair together on Spain’s flanks for the first time in more than a year.
At right-back, Barcelona defender Eric Garcia steps in because Pedro Porro is unavailable through injury.
De la Fuente has said there remains room for his world champions to improve. His first selection since the triumph in the final nevertheless carries the look of a statement team, with Torres and Ruiz representing PSG in a high-profile start to Spain’s Nations League campaign.
