AFP Sport reviews their most relevant past encounters
First competitive encounter: The first competitive meeting of Spain and England began at the 1950 World Cup in Brazil, at which they were drawn together in the same group.
Both teams won their opening matches at the tournament; England defeated Chile 2-0 at the Maracana, while Spain defeated the United States 3-1.
Meanwhile, after Spain defeated Chile, England experienced one of their most humiliating defeats, losing 1-0 to the USA. The upcoming match between Spain and England in Rio de Janeiro on July 2 was important for the latter, who needed a victory.
World Cup hopes end at Spain 82: England defeated Spain in a home-and-away quarter-final to qualify for the final tournament of Euro 1968. The team also met at the 1980 Euros, where both were eliminated in the group stage.
Their next competitive encounter occured at the 1982 World Cup, when they found themselves together in the second group stage, in a three-team pool alongside West Germany.
The Germans had tied with England and defeated Spain, which results to the host nation being eliminated from their own tournament before facing Ron Greenwood’s English team in Madrid.
The game ended in a 0-0 draw, resulting in England’s elimination without suffering a loss. West Germany advanced to the semi-finals and were ubeaten by Italy in the final.
