Argentina bid to break 2-1 England curse in World Cup final against Spain

Argentina will walk into Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain under the shadow of a bizarre pattern: every team that has beaten England 2-1 in the knockout rounds since 2018 has gone on to lose the final.

The match, to be played at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, carries far more than the usual weight of a title decider for Lionel Scaloni’s side. According to Spanish newspaper Marca, a so‐called “curse” has followed sides who edge England 2-1 in the latter stages – a fate that has already struck Croatia and France at the last two World Cups.

Earlier this week, Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the semi-finals, triggering talk that they could now be the next victims of this sequence when they face an impressive Spain side chasing another world crown.

How the ‘2-1 England curse’ began

The trend began at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In the semi-finals, England took an early lead against Croatia and appeared on course for their first World Cup final since 1966.

But Croatia, the surprise package of that tournament, fought back, equalising before Mario Mandzukic scored in extra time to secure a 2-1 victory. Their joy was short-lived: in the final they were beaten 4-2 by France, missing out on a first world title.

Four years later in Qatar, a similar script unfolded. France met England in the quarter-finals and went ahead through a first-half goal. Harry Kane levelled from the penalty spot, only for Olivier Giroud to restore France’s lead in the 78th minute.

Kane then blasted a second penalty over the bar in the 84th minute, and France once again emerged 2-1 winners over the Three Lions.

France follow Croatia’s fate in dramatic final

Like Croatia in 2018, France were eventually undone in the final. They lost to Argentina in one of the most dramatic title matches in World Cup history.

That encounter finished 3-3 after extra time, with Kylian Mbappe completing a remarkable hat-trick to drag France back into the game. Argentina ultimately prevailed in the penalty shootout to lift the trophy, extending the strange run of 2-1 winners over England falling at the final hurdle.

With Argentina now having beaten England 2-1 in the semi-finals of the current edition, the focus has turned to whether Spain will become the third team in succession to benefit from this pattern.

History offers Argentina reasons for hope

Despite the recent trend, Argentina’s past provides an antidote to the narrative of a curse.

At the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the quarter-finals in a match forever etched into football folklore. Diego Maradona scored both goals – one the infamous “Hand of God”, the other a stunning solo run often described as one of the greatest goals in World Cup history.

Far from being doomed, Argentina went on to win the tournament, beating West Germany in the final to secure their second world title.

Brazil have also previously defied the supposed curse. At the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, they beat England 2-1 in the quarter-finals thanks to goals from Rivaldo and Ronaldinho. Brazil then defeated Germany in the final, with Ronaldo scoring twice to claim their fifth world crown.

Spain test Argentina’s resolve in New Jersey

Sunday’s showdown with Spain will therefore be seen as a test not only of Argentina’s footballing strength, but of their ability to shake off a narrative that has followed them since 2018.

Spain, with a new generation of technically gifted players, stand between Argentina and a fourth star on their iconic blue-and-white shirts. For all the talk of curses and patterns, the outcome at MetLife Stadium will ultimately depend on whether Argentina can impose themselves on a Spanish side determined to write their own chapter of history.

Whether the so‐called 2-1 England curse claims a third victim, or Argentina once again prove history can be bent to their will, will be decided under the lights in New Jersey.