Now that the business of qualifying for the Euro 2016 finals is over, it is marquee friendlies time, as Spain host England in Alicante on Friday.
Both teams finished top of their respective groups in the Euro qualifiers, and even if neither team had the greatest of times at the 2014 World Cup, both are expected to go a long way in the European Championships in France. Facing each other will be a good test of where the teams are, with Euro 2016 only a few months away.
"It's a tough game for us, a big test against Spain," England captain Wayne Rooney said. "But it's one we are looking forward to. We know we have the quality in the squad to give Spain a good game.
"It's an important game in our preparation and hopefully we can get a good result. Spain are a very good team, with lots of very good players, so we have to work hard and do our best to try and win.
"You never know what is going to happen next summer, so we have to perform and try and learn the way we want to play. We know we have a good, exciting squad of players, but also a young squad with room to improve.
"The manager and myself can see that we need to improve if we are to compete at the tournament. That is what we are trying to do in the training sessions and upcoming games, to get to that next level that would give us a chance to win the tournament."
England play France in another friendly after this one against Spain, and while there might be a case for playing the best available team for both matches, Roy Hodgson believes these two games provide some players who haven't cemented their place yet the best opportunity to show they are worthy of a place in the starting XI.
Therefore, Rooney will start this high-profile friendly against Spain on the bench, while Harry Kane will lead the line, with Ross Barkley just behind the Tottenham striker. Jamie Vardy, who has been the English Premier League's form striker, is unlikely to feature because of injury.
Spain's team news has revolved around Diego Costa, who was recalled by Vicente Del Bosque, despite struggling to find goals for Chelsea. Costa, like Chelsea, is having a hard time of it at the moment, but De Bosque believes the Brazil-born striker has the capability to make an impression against England on Friday.
"He's not here because we're obliged to, or because we believe we have a moral obligation," the Spain manager said of Costa. "He's here because he deserves it.
"When a team doesn't work, the players get blamed too. This year Chelsea aren't working well at the moment and this is happening."
Where to Watch Live
Spain vs England is scheduled for an 8.45 pm local time (7.45 pm GMT, 2.45 pm ET, 1.15 am IST) start. Unfortunately, there will be no live coverage if the friendly in India.
Audience in the UK can watch England vs Spain live on ITV1, while the online live streaming option is on ITV Player. BBC Radio 5 Live will also provide the radio coverage of the international friendly. Tele Cinco will broadcast the match live in Spain.
Viewers in the US can watch Spain vs England live on ESPN3, while the live stream option is on Watch ESPN. TSN4 will show the friendly live in Canada, while the action can also be live streamed on TSN TV.
