Jinx known only to the Three Lions… Argentina remind England of Croatia’s nightmare

The English team missed the chance again

England’s dream of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals turned into a new nightmare after losing 1-2 to fellow countrymen Argentina in the semi-finals in Atlanta today, Wednesday evening.

England took the lead 10 minutes into the second half through Anthony Gordon, but the Three Lions squandered their lead after the Latin side turned the tables with two late goals.

According to the Opta network, there have only been two occasions in the 21st century when a team scored the first goal in a semi-final but did not qualify for the World Cup final.

The network noted that the England team was present every time.

2. There are only two occasions in the 21st century when a national team scored the first goal in a semi-final but did not qualify for the World Cup final, and both were against England (against Croatia in 2018 and Argentina in 2026).

acquaintance pic.twitter.com/RVGf0XEnb5

— OptaArabi (@OptaArabi) July 15, 2026

Before today’s match, the England team could not maintain the leading position in the semi-final of the World Cup 2018 against Croatia.

England then took the lead through Kieran Trippier, but conceded two goals from Ivan Brezic and Mario Mandzukic to lose 1-2, the same result as today’s game.

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