Are England Doomed to World Cup Failure After DR Congo Opener?
July 3, 2026 · José Morales
England's World Cup campaign begins with a disappointing loss to DR Congo, raising doubts about their chances in the knockout stages.
England's World Cup knockout hopes have encountered a severe setback following a disappointing loss to DR Congo. In an unexpected twist at Atlanta Stadium, Brian Cipenga stunned the Three Lions, scoring just seven minutes into the match and giving the 35th-ranked team a surprising lead against Thomas Tuchel's squad. Despite England's attempts to regroup before the scheduled first-half hydration break, their performance lacked the necessary urgency. Historically, the situation looks grim for the Three Lions, as they have failed to win any of their last 13 World Cup matches when allowing the first goal, following their last triumph in 1966. This raises the unsettling question: will the 60 years of hurt persist?
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