England's greatest away days: Where does victory in Spain rank among top five performances on the road?

England's thrilling victory in Spain on Monday night was a breakthrough moment for Gareth Southgate and his young team – a victory on the road against world-class opposition.

There is nothing like getting the required result against a top team on their own patch, and Seville 2018 proudly stands alongside other historic matches against Brazil, Germany and in qualification.

Sportsmail highlights what we consider the five greatest away games in England's football history

England beat Spain 3-2 in Seville on Monday with the best display under Gareth Southgate

England beat Spain 3-2 in Seville on Monday with the best display under Gareth Southgate

5: SPAIN 2 ENGLAND 3 – 2018

Nations League


England ended Spain's 38-match unbeaten run for competitive home matches in some style, with Raheem Sterling (2) and Marcus Rashford scoring before half-time and skipper Harry Kane happy to supply rather than fire the ammunition.

Having lost to Spain at Wembley last month, England were regarded as rank outsiders in Seville but their front-three wreaked havoc on Luis Enrique's side.

Sterling ended a three-year goal drought from a devastating move started by goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, Rashford converted Kane's throughball to make it 2-0 and Kane again provided the assist for Sterling.

Spain rallied in the second half to score twice but England deserved their surprise success that gives them a chance of qualifying for the Nations League finals should they win their final group game at home to Croatia next month.

England ended Spain's 38-match unbeaten run for competitive home matches in some style

England ended Spain's 38-match unbeaten run for competitive home matches in some style

4: ITALY 0 ENGLAND 0 – 1997

World Cup qualifier

England needed a point in Rome to qualify for the World Cup and bloodied captain Paul Ince embodied the cause by playing on with a head bandage after having stitches for a bad cut.

But the result was more than blood and thunder. Under Glenn Hoddle, England showed they could match Italy both tactically and technically with David Beckham used as a right wing-back, Paul Gascoigne controlling midfield and Ian Wright running his socks off up front in the absence of Alan Shearer.

Italy were an excellent team – their defender Fabio Cannavaro would captain them to World Cup glory a decade later – and there were anxious moments when Christian Vieri headed wide in the dying seconds.

But overall the game in Rome showed the world that England were capable of success playing something other than one-dimensional long-ball football.

England needed a point in Italy in 1997 and bloodied captain Paul Ince embodied the cause

England needed a point in Italy in 1997 and bloodied captain Paul Ince embodied the cause

3: BRAZIL 0 ENGLAND 2 – 1984

Friendly

Bobby Robson's England reign was at a low point when he led the Three Lions on an unwanted tour to South America having failed to qualify for the 1984 European Championship.

But in the legendary Maracana Stadium, England found a new lease of life, with John Barnes scoring an iconic individual goal and Mark Hateley producing a wonderful header that earned him a move from Portsmouth to AC Milan.

Barnes' slalom run past five Brazillian defenders not only altered his life – 'it changed people's perceptions of me' – it gave the English national team a much-needed shot in the arm. 

Two years later, they reached the World Cup quarter-finals in Mexico and people were back in love with the national team again.

A bit like Gareth Southgate has managed this year.

John Barnes scored an iconic goal and Mark Hateley produced a header to beat Brazil in 1984

John Barnes scored an iconic goal and Mark Hateley produced a header to beat Brazil in 1984

2: HUNGARY 1 ENGLAND 3 – 1981

World Cup qualifier

England hadn't been to a World Cup for nearly a dozen years or qualified for one since 1958 when they visited in-form Hungary having already lost two group games against Romania and Switzerland.

The response to the growing pressure was exhilerating with the country's best two footballers Kevin Keegan and Trevor Brooking both living up to their billing.

Brooking had volleyed England in front before the bodyblow of a Hungarian equaliser on the stroke of half-time. The response from Ron Greenwood's side was impressive after the interval with Brooking regaining the lead with a rising shot that famously got caught in the goal stanchion.

Keegan, the reigning European Player of the Year, sealed the points with a late penalty and both nations eventually made it to the World Cup finals in Spain the following year.

Paul Mariner (crouched) and Kevin Keegan (left) scored in a WCQ against Hungary in 1981

Paul Mariner (crouched) and Kevin Keegan (left) scored in a WCQ against Hungary in 1981

1: GERMANY 1 ENGLAND 5 – 2001

World Cup qualifier

England's prospects of qualifying automatically for the 2002 World Cup had been dented by a home defeat to Germany, prompting manager Kevin Keegan to resign. In his place, a calm, bespectacled Swede took over, and Sven Goran Eriksson attained hero status on a famous night in Munich.

After Carsten Jancker had fired Germany ahead, Michael Owen quickly levelled before Steven Gerrard gave England the lead on the stroke of half-time. The second half was a one-sided rampage.

Owen scored twice more to complete his hat-trick with Emile Heskey also on the scoresheet – all five goals therefore scored by Liverpool players. TV broadcaster John Motson considers it the finest England game he witnessed and his line following Owen's third goal, 'it's getting better and better and better” has passed into commentary folklore.

Owen was named European Footballer of the Year on the back of his performance and England did finish top of their group to go to Korea and Japan without the need for a play-off. 

Michael Owen scored a stunning hat-trick as England beat Germany 5-1 in Munich in 2001

Michael Owen scored a stunning hat-trick as England beat Germany 5-1 in Munich in 2001

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.