Spain won 2–1 in Croatia and England beat Czechia 3–0 on 6 October, bringing the fourth round of the Nations League 2026/27 to a close. The two results widen the gap in Group A3: Spain has four wins and twelve points; England has nine, Croatia has three, and Czechia has yet to earn a point.
The table below is calculated from the eight group matches published by UEFA. It includes goals for and against to show how the points were earned, although goal difference should not be confused with the sole tiebreaker in a competition.
| Team | MP | Points | GF–GA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | 4 | 12 | 12–5 |
| England | 4 | 9 | 14–3 |
| Croatia | 4 | 3 | 4–14 |
| Czechia | 4 | 0 | 2–10 |
The difference lies in the head-to-head matches
Spain beat England 3–2 on the opening matchday and has won its other three matches. England responded with three straight wins, all without conceding a goal: 2–0 against Czechia, 7–0 against Croatia, and 3–0 against Czechia again. Its goal difference is better, but Spain’s win in their head-to-head match explains the three-point gap.
The Spain–England match is scheduled for 15 November, on the sixth matchday. The fifth matchday comes first. So the outlook for that match will also depend on the earlier results: it is not accurate to describe it already as a final for first place with mathematically fixed conditions.
What it means to finish in the top two
The League A regulations send the winners and runners-up of its four groups to the quarterfinals. The group winners are paired by draw with the runners-up from another group. The quarterfinals are played over two legs, with the runners-up hosting the first leg; the semifinals and medal matches are then decided in a single game.
There are therefore two related objectives: reach the quarterfinals and do so from the best possible position. Finishing second does not eliminate a team, but it changes its status in the draw and the order of the matches in the tie. A good goal difference reflects performance; the group position determines the next competitive path.
The edition also sets up a reorganization of the leagues for 2028/29, according to UEFA. That makes it especially important to consult this season’s rules when discussing staying in the league, relegation, or playoffs, rather than automatically applying those from the previous edition.
The English night also featured an individual milestone: Harry Kane matched Peter Shilton’s 125 appearances and scored twice. The details of his record and 3–0 are in a separate article. The team picture is clear: Spain keeps its perfect record, and England heads into November with three straight wins without conceding in those matches.
