England shatter long-standing elite curse in epic World Cup opener

ByKehinde-Hassan Afolabi

England ended a 24-year hoodoo by defeating 11th-ranked Croatia 4-2 at the 2026 World Cup, securing their first tournament win over a top-15 ranked nation since 2002.

England made history at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Dallas, securing a thrilling 4-2 victory over 11th-ranked Croatia in their Group L opener.

The landmark win marks the Three Lions’ first World Cup triumph against a nation ranked inside FIFA’s top 15 since defeating Argentina 1-0 in 2002.

A Harry Kane brace, alongside goals from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford, sealed the historic result.

The victory brings a definitive end to an agonizing 24-year hoodoo for the national team. Prior to Wednesday’s triumph under Thomas Tuchel, England had suffered through a miserable nine-game winless run against elite opposition at the global finals, including six consecutive defeats.

This crucial victory immediately places England at the top of Group L as they look to end their 60-year trophy drought.

Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi is a football journalist whose deep tactical understanding of the game makes him a standout, captivating audiences across print, audio, and video. His poetic background brings a unique rhythm and depth to his work, seamlessly transforming analysis into artistry. With a knack for narration and research, he captures the drama of the game beyond tactics and statistics, making each piece of his; a compelling blend of insight and storytelling.

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