With the World Cup just days away, the butterflies are beginning to set in for international football fans. The tournament brings a wave of excitement every four years, but there is also a sense that each World Cup is an opportunity for glory that can’t be squandered.
For England, and for manager Gareth Southgate in particular, it feels like this is one last chance to grasp at international glory. Having reached the semi-finals four years ago, and the final of Euro 2020 last summer, the Three Lions will be heading to Qatar with victory on their minds.
A good start will be vitally important, especially since England’s form in the build-up to this tournament hasn’t been great. Taking on Iran should give them a good chance of kicking off with three points, and they’re certainly well-backed in the England v Iran odds.
However, history shows that England don’t always have things their own way in the opening game of a World Cup finals. Let’s take a look back at the Three Lions’ openers at the last four World Cups.
2018: England 2-1 Tunisia
Four years ago, England needed a late winner to get the job done against unfancied Tunisia. On a frustrating evening in Volgograd, England just couldn’t shake off Tunisia’s stubborn resistance.
Harry Kane gave them the lead after just 11 minutes, and it looked as though a procession was in store. However, Ferjani Sassi’s equaliser from the penalty spot gave Tunisia hope, and they held firm right up until the end when Kane’s close-range header delivered relief and joy in equal measure for England.
2014: England 1-2 Italy
Brazil 2014 was a World Cup to forget for England, and defeat to Italy in their opening match set the tone for what would ultimately be a group-stage exit.
Italy took the lead through Claudio Marchisio in the 35th minute, but England hit back straight away thanks to Daniel Sturridge’s close-range finish. Roy Hodgson’s side huffed and puffed in the second half, but it always felt like Italy had the edge. Mario Balotelli made the difference in the end, with his powerful header handing the Azzurri the perfect start to the competition.
2010: England 1-1 USA
One of the more infamous of England’s World Cup opening matches, their draw against the USA in 2010 was a particularly frustrating result.
Fabio Capello’s side got off to the perfect start, with Steven Gerrard poking home after just four minutes, and for a while it appeared as though England’s ‘golden generation’ might finally do the business at a major tournament.
Disaster struck, however, five minutes before half-time, as Clint Dempsey’s tame effort was spilled into the net by England goalkeeper Rob Green. It was a catastrophic mistake, and from that point, England’s confidence seemed to drain.
They didn’t regain that spark for the rest of the tournament, ultimately crashing out in a 4-1 last-16 defeat to Germany.
2006: England 1-0 Paraguay
The 2006 World Cup was seen as a major opportunity for England’s star players to taste glory. With the likes of David Beckham, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Michael Owen and Wayne Rooney all taking to the field, it was a team packed full of talent.
They made hard work of their opening match in Gelsenkirchen though. An early own goal by Paraguay’s Carlos Gamarra was enough to seal three points, although it’s fair to say Sven-Goran Eriksson’s side did not hit top gear throughout the match.