Enrique hails De Gea after victory over England
Luis Enrique said he never doubted David de Gea after the goalkeeper bounced back from a poor World Cup to star against England.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GSJ3hkXo4bbPgrC6bUyCvn.jpg)
Luis Enrique lauded David de Gea as one of the best goalkeepers in the world after the Manchester United man's performance in Spain's 2-1 victory over England at Wembley.
De Gea ensured Luis Enrique's first game in charge of La Roja yielded three points when he made a superb save to deny Marcus Rashford a possible equaliser in the first half and was involved in a controversial moment when England were denied a share of the points in injury time.
Danny Welbeck thought he had made it 2-2 when he put the ball in Spain's net, only to have the goal ruled out for a foul on De Gea as the keeper attempted to bring the ball to ground.
After he was criticised for his part in Spain's disappointing World Cup campaign, which ended in elimination at the hands of Russia in the round of 16, De Gea's performance against England saw him singled out for praise from Luis Enrique.
"I'm especially happy about David's performance," the head coach told a post-match news conference.
"He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and has proven it in the Premier League week in, week out.
"I never had any doubts. Errors sometimes help you to improve and grow up."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Muy contento por la victoria y mi primer gol con la .Un momento que jamas olvidaré y en un estadio histórico como Wembley. September 8, 2018
Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez, who equalised for Spain in the first half after Rashford had given England the lead, also won plaudits.
"As for Saul, I like him very much," Luis Enrique said of the 23-year-old.
"He's greatly skilled, very intelligent. A complete player."
Despite his satisfaction with the result, which came courtesy of Rodrigo's decisive goal before half-time, Luis Enrique told his players to look ahead to their next Nations League match against World Cup finalists Croatia rather than dwell on the victory.
"I think this does good for everyone," he added. "It is the best way to start, winning against England at Wembley.
"Football is about the present and this is now the past. We are thinking about Croatia on Tuesday.
"Overall, it is a great victory."
![Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Manchester City FC at Anfield on December 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3xTbkGtr7hRGpxxB4hofcg-840-80.jpg)
‘Slot hasn’t come in and changed everything, making it all about himself – it’s been about the players he’s inherited, getting the best out of a system he likes’: Liverpool manager impressing former players with personality and tactical approach
![LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 20: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrating after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on October 20, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y6uSyarD69cTjYZM7M4Z33-840-80.jpg)
‘We thought we’d signed him, but Chelsea blew us away. I think they signed him so we couldn’t have him, as much as because they really wanted him’: Liverpool actually failed to sign Mohamed Salah in 2014, three years before finally getting the Egyptian