As World Cup curses go, there are worse ones out there.

For seven consecutive tournaments Mexico exited at the last 16 stage, a hex known as ‘Quinto Partido’ (fifth game) that grew into a national obsession. Ironically, it began in the Americas, in the 1994 edition. Might it end there this summer?

There is also the ‘Champions Curse’ to consider, that has so often in modern times seen reigning champions underwhelm four years later. It has struck France in 2002, Italy in 2010, Spain in 2014 and Germany in 2018.

By comparison, England’s sustained habit of starting major tournaments brightly only to struggle in their subsequent group game has not unduly hindered them, the Three Lions reaching back-to-back Euro Championship finals this decade.

All the same, it is far from ideal, with Thomas Tuchel and his squad pertinently aware of the value in finishing top of Group L. Moreover, a stultifying draw with Ghana at Foxborough has erased the momentum and optimism accrued from an impressive opening display against Croatia.  

England’s second group games since 2020

Opponent                Tournament                      Score

Scotland                  Euro 2020                           0-0

United States         World Cup 2022                0-0

Denmark                 Euro 2022                          1-1

Ghana                      World Cup 2026               0-0

All four of these disappointing results followed opening wins.

A defensive masterclass

From the initial passages of play in Foxborough it was clear that some ingenuity would be needed from England to break through a stubborn Ghanian low block.

With multiple Ballon d’Or nominees Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in their ranks, the Three Lions possessed such quality, but both stars became increasingly frustrated as space was suppressed and chances were kept to an absolute minimum.

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz was only appointed in April but already he has installed positional discipline at the back with each player knowing their role and collectively executing them well.  

England faced a yellow wall throughout.

For his part in England’s ultimately doomed attempt to break the deadlock, Jude Bellingham was awarded the Man of the Match award, but modestly declared that it ‘should have gone to one of their lads, who defended so well’.

He went on to acknowledge his team’s odd habit of struggling two games into a competition.

“Like always, it’s second game fever, isn’t it. Win the first one, do well, then draw the second”

As for Kane, he patiently waited for any opportunity to arise and when one did with minutes to spare it was spurned, a volley from close range put over the bar to the surprise of all 64,000 watching on from the stands.

A subplot with many pages still to write

With Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland all increasing their goals tally over the last couple of days Kane will have been desperate to add to his, the striker of course prioritising England’s World Cup aspirations this summer, but also having one eye on winning another Golden Boot.

That was achieved in 2018, with half of his six-goal haul attained in a routing of Panama. Intriguingly, it is Los Canaleros who England face next, this coming weekend.

No doubt the Bayern Munich ace will be feeling discouraged this morning on losing ground to his fellow striking superstars in a Golden Boot chase that is fast becoming one of the most engaging subplots to this World Cup.

There will, however, be plenty more games to catch up, and opportunities to convert.

Harry Kane’s tournament goals

Euro 2016 – 0 goals

World Cup 2018 – 6 goals (Golden Boot)

Euro 2020 – 4 goals

World Cup 2022 – 2 goals

Euro 2024 – 3 goals