England is set to face a significant challenge in international football as it attempts to score against Spain, a team known for its strong defensive record. Spain conceded one goal in eight games during their World Cup victory, allowing opponents an average of 2.37 expected goals, or 0.30 per 90 minutes played. Thomas Tuchel, the England manager, has expressed a desire for his team to "became for 10 minutes more like Spain" to dominate possession under pressure, but this approach may not be effective against Spain's backline. Tuchel noted that English fans and players prefer a more chaotic style of play, emphasizing direct attacks rather than controlled buildup. This approach may be the key for England to overcome Spain's defense. Historical instances show that Spain can be vulnerable to direct play, with two defeats in the Luis de la Fuente era occurring in the UK. In March 2023, Scotland defeated Spain 2-0 at Hampden Park, with Scott McTominay scoring both goals. A year later, Colombia beat Spain 1-0 at the London Stadium, with Luis Díaz delivering a cross that led to Daniel Muñoz's goal. These instances suggest that direct play and crosses can be effective against Spain. Statistical analysis reveals that Spain conceded very few high-value chances this summer. Across 750 minutes, they allowed just six chances deemed significant by Opta, with only 10 shots worth more than 0.07 expected goals. The highest-value shot Spain allowed occurred in the 121st minute of the final, with a corner kick leading to a missed opportunity. Other notable chances included a 91st-minute cross for Cape Verde's Diney Borges and a goal for Belgium set up by a Timothy Castagne cross. Cristiano Ronaldo had a relatively high-value effort in the Iberian derby, which was better than any chance France produced in their semi-final. All of Spain's conceded goals were set up by crosses from wide areas, highlighting the effectiveness of this strategy. Teams like Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay struggled to create scoring opportunities from within their own halves, indicating that Spain's defense is particularly strong in these areas. Pau Cubarsí's Barcelona conceded the second fewest crosses per game in Europe's big five leagues last season, while Athletic Bilbao, featuring Spain's first-choice goalkeeper and center-backs, were joint-ninth. Cubarsí and Laporte contested fewer aerial duels per 90 minutes compared to many Premier League center-backs, suggesting that Spain's defense may be less accustomed to facing frequent crosses. In an era of tactical sophistication, crossing is often viewed as inefficient and old-fashioned, but it may be the only viable method for England to score against Spain. If Trent Alexander-Arnold is aiming to regain favor with Tuchel, delivering a cross to Harry Kane could be a strategic move. Given Spain's defensive strength, England may need to rely on this traditional approach to have a chance of success.